WHIMMING

Verb

whimming

present participle of whim

Source: Wiktionary


WHIM

Whim, n. Etym: [Cf. Whimbrel.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: The European widgeon. [Prov. Eng.]

Whim, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. hwima to wander with the eyes, vim giddiness, Norw. kvima to whisk or flutter about, to trifle, Dan. vimse to skip, whisk, jump from one thing to another, dial. Sw. hvimsa to be unsteady, dizzy, W. chwimio to move briskly.]

1. A sudden turn or start of the mind; a temporary eccentricity; a freak; a fancy; a capricious notion; a humor; a caprice. Let every man enjoy his whim. Churchill.

2. (Mining)

Definition: A large capstan or vertical drum turned by horse power or steam power, for raising ore or water, etc., from mines, or for other purposes; -- called also whim gin, and whimsey. Whim gin (Mining), a whim. See Whim, 2.

– Whim shaft (Mining), a shaft through which ore, water, etc., is raised from a mine by means of a whim.

Syn.

– Freak; caprice; whimsey; fancy.

– Whim, Freak, Caprice. Freak denotes an impulsive, inconsiderate change of mind, as by a child or a lunatic. Whim is a mental eccentricity due to peculiar processes or habits of thought. Caprice is closely allied in meaning to freak, but implies more definitely a quality of willfulness or wantonness.

Whim, v. i.

Definition: To be subject to, or indulge in, whims; to be whimsical, giddy, or freakish. [R.] Congreve.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

9 May 2024

CONSECRATION

(noun) (religion) sanctification of something by setting it apart (usually with religious rites) as dedicated to God; “the Cardinal attended the consecration of the church”


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Coffee Trivia

The word “coffee” entered the English language in 1582 via the Dutch “koffie,” borrowed from the Ottoman Turkish “kahve,” borrowed in turn from the Arabic “qahwah.” The Arabic word qahwah was traditionally held to refer to a type of wine.

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