whirlwind
part of speech
noun (a whirlwind, whirlwinds); adjective-like before a noun (a whirlwind tour)
meaning for a pupil
1) A whirlwind is a column of air that spins very fast, like a small tornado. tree →
2) A whirlwind of activity is a lot of things happening very fast. tree →
3) A whirlwind trip or romance is one that is very quick. tree →
sense in the lessons
In the Tanakh and Jewish tradition: In the Prophets and Writings the whirlwind is a mighty storm sent by God. It is a picture of sudden ruin for the wicked, and also the place from which God spoke to Job. Interpretation: Sefer Yetzirah says the ten Sefirot go forth and return at God's word like a whirlwind and bow before His throne. This is read as a picture of constant motion of creation toward God and back. In the Book of Job, God answers Job out of the whirlwind, and Proverbs says the whirlwind sweeps the wicked away while the righteous stand firm. In the primary lessons: In science it is a weather word; in stories and everyday life it describes busy, rushed or exciting times. Phrases: a whirlwind of, whirlwind tour, like a whirlwind.
examples
- The Word is in them as they rush forth and as they return, they speak as from the whirlwind, and returning fall prostrate in adoration before the Throne. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
- The word of God is in them as they burst forth, and as they return; they obey the divine command, rushing along as a whirlwind, returning to prostrate themselves at his throne. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887) tree →
- They go and come at His word, and at His command ti)ev pursue like the whirlwind, and kneel before His throne. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
- Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: (Writings JOB.38.1, JPS 1917) tree →
- When the whirlwind passeth, the wicked is no more; but the righteous is an everlasting foundation. (Writings PRO.10.25, JPS 1917) tree →
- As whirlwinds in the South sweeping on, it cometh from the wilderness, from a dreadful land. (Prophets ISA.21.1, JPS 1917) tree →
- A whirlwind picked up the leaves and spun them round. tree →
- The day was a whirlwind of parties and presents. tree →
- She came into the room like a whirlwind. tree →
- We had a whirlwind tour of London in one day. tree →
- Dust whirlwinds called dust devils form on hot days. tree →
- The last week of term is always a whirlwind. tree →
- Again there arose a stormcloud with whirlwind and lightning. tree →
note
Countable. Made from whirl (spin) + wind. Similar weather words: tornado, cyclone, dust devil (smaller whirlwind).
In the corpora
- As whirlwinds in the South sweeping on, it cometh from the wilderness, from a dreadful land.
- but I will scatter them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they have not known.
- Before your pots can feel the thorns, He will sweep it away with a whirlwind, the raw and the burning alike.
- The voice of Thy thunder was in the whirlwind; the lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.
- When your dread cometh as a storm, and your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind; when trouble and distress come upon you.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «whirlwind» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.