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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Whirligig \Whirl"i*gig\, n. [Whirl gig.]
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1. A child's toy, spun or whirled around like a wheel upon an
axis, or like a top. --Johnson.
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2. Anything which whirls around, or in which persons or
things are whirled about, as a frame with seats or wooden
horses.
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With a whirligig of jubilant mosquitoes spinning
about each head. --G. W. Cable.
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3. A mediaeval instrument for punishing petty offenders,
being a kind of wooden cage turning on a pivot, in which
the offender was whirled round with great velocity.
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4. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of beetles belonging
to {Gyrinus} and allied genera. The body is firm, oval or
boatlike in form, and usually dark colored with a
bronzelike luster. These beetles live mostly on the
surface of water, and move about with great celerity in a
gyrating, or circular, manner, but they are also able to
dive and swim rapidly. The larva is aquatic. Called also
{weaver}, {whirlwig}, and {whirlwig beetle}.
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