WHIRLWINDS
Noun
whirlwinds
plural of whirlwind
Source: Wiktionary
WHIRLWIND
Whirl"wind`, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. hvirfilvindr, Sw. hvirfvelvind, Dan.
hvirvelvind, G. wirbelwind. See Whirl, and Wind, n.]
1. A violent windstorm of limited extent, as the tornado,
characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with an upward
current in the center; a vortex of air. It usually has a rapid
progressive motion.
The swift dark whirlwind that uproots the woods. And drowns the
villages. Bryant.
Note: Some meteorologists apply the word whirlwind to the larger
rotary storm also, such as cyclones.
2. Fig.: A body of objects sweeping violently onward. "The whirlwind
of hounds and hunters." Macaulay.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition