whirlblast

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

whirl +‎ blast

Noun[edit]

whirlblast (plural whirlblasts)

  1. (archaic, poetic) A whirlwind.
    • 1829, Thomas Love Peacock, The Misfortunes of Elphin:
      The breakers rave; the whirlblasts roar;
      The mingled rage of seas and skies
      Bursts on the low and lonely shore []
    • 1837, Thomas Carlyle, The French Revolution: A History [], volumes (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Chapman and Hall, →OCLC, (please specify the book or page number):
      But now, how easily might these, dashing out on Lafayette, snatch off the Hereditary Representative; and roll away with him, after the manner of a whirlblast, whither they listed!