whorl

/wɔrl/

/hwɔrl/

Other forms: whorls

Whorl describes something that looks like loops — a strand of curly hair that boings back up when you pull in then let it go, a corkscrew, even the track of a roller coaster that spins you in every direction.

Use whorl to describe a thing that swirls or curls — the loops of icing on a birthday cake, the spiral curves of a mountain road, or a lock of curly hair. Whorl is also a good word to describe a flower whose petals form layer after layer of circles. Don't confuse the noun whorl with its homophone whirl, a verb that means "to spin in a circle."

Definitions of whorl

1. noun

   a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
   synonyms: coil, curl, curlicue, gyre, ringlet, roll, scroll

   types:

   corolla

   (botany) the whorl of petals of a flower that collectively form an inner floral envelope or layer of the perianth

   calyx

   (botany) the whorl of sepals of a flower collectively forming the outer floral envelope or layer of the perianth enclosing and supporting the developing bud; usually green

   verticil

   a whorl of leaves growing around a stem

   hull

   persistent enlarged calyx at base of e.g. a strawberry or raspberry

   pappus

   calyx composed of scales or bristles or featherlike hairs in plants of the Compositae such as thistles and dandelions

   type of:

   round shape

   a shape that is curved and without sharp angles
2. noun

   a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops
   synonyms: coil, helix, spiral, volute

   types:

   hank

   a coil of rope or wool or yarn

   skein

   coils of worsted yarn

   type of:

   construction, structure

   a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
3. noun

   a strand or cluster of hair
   synonyms: curl, lock, ringlet

   types:

   sausage curl

   a fat sausage-shaped curl

   forelock

   a lock of hair growing (or falling) over the forehead

   crimp

   a lock of hair that has been artificially waved or curled

   dreadlock

   one of many long thin braids of hair radiating from the scalp; popularized by Rastafarians

   tress

   (usually plural) a long lock of hair

   quiff

   a prominent forelock (especially one brushed upward from the forehead)

   pin curl

   a curl of hair made by dampening a strand of hair and curling it and holding the curl with a clip or bobby pin

   kiss curl, spit curl

   a spiral curl plastered on the forehead or cheek

   type of:

   hair

   a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss