Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.
whirr — (also whir) ► VERB (whirred, whirring) ▪ (of something rapidly rotating or moving to and fro) make a low, continuous, regular sound. ► NOUN ▪ a whirring sound. ORIGIN probably Scandinavian … English terms dictionary
whirr — meaning ‘to make a continuous buzzing sound’, is spelt with two rs in BrE and usually with one r in AmE, and the corresponding noun follows suit. The verb has inflected forms whirred, whirring in both varieties … Modern English usage
whirr — /wɜ / (say wer) verb (i) (whirred, whirring) 1. to go, fly, dart, revolve, or otherwise move quickly with a vibratory or buzzing sound. –noun 2. the act or sound of whirring: the whirr of wings. Also, whir. {Middle English, from Scandinavian;… …
whirr — n. & v. (also whir) n. a continuous rapid buzzing or softly clicking sound as of a bird s wings or of cog wheels in constant motion. v.intr. (whirred, whirring) make this sound. Etymology: ME, prob. Scand.: cf. Da. hvirre, Norw. kvirra, perh. rel … Useful english dictionary
whirr — whir [wə: US wə:r] v past tense and past participle whirred present participle whirring [Date: 1300 1400; Origin: Probably from a [i]Scandinavian language] to make a fairly quiet regular sound, like the sound of a bird or insect moving its wings… … Dictionary of contemporary English
whirr — [[t](h)wɜ͟ː(r)[/t]] whirrs, whirring, whirred also whir VERB When something such as a machine or an insect s wing whirrs, it makes a series of low sounds so quickly that they seem like one continuous sound. The camera whirred and clicked. [V ing] … English dictionary
whirr — (also whir) verb (whirrs, whirring, whirred) (of something rapidly rotating or moving to and fro) make a low, continuous, regular sound. noun a whirring sound. Origin ME: prob. of Scand. origin; cf. whirl … English new terms dictionary
whir — I. verb also whirr (whirred; whirring) Etymology: Middle English (Scots) quirren, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish hvirre to whirl, whir Date: 15th century intransitive verb to fly, revolve, or move rapidly with a whir … New Collegiate Dictionary
whir — /hwerr, werr/, v., whirred, whirring, n. v.i. 1. to go, fly, revolve, or otherwise move quickly with a humming or buzzing sound: An electric fan whirred softly in the corner. v.t. 2. to move or transport (a thing, person, etc.) with a whirring… … Universalium
whir — var. of WHIRR. * * * whir [whir whirs whirred whirring] ; (especially NAmE) = ↑ … Useful english dictionary
