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The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms INTRO ...

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2 Nautical seizing, binding, tying, winding, fastening: <strong>The</strong><br />

whipping will prevent the end <strong>of</strong> the line from unravelling.<br />

whirlpool n. maelstrom, vortex, eddy, whirl, swirl, Heraldry gurges: As<br />

we watched in horror, the canoe was drawn down into the<br />

whirlpool and disappeared.<br />

whirlwind n. 1 waterspout, dust devil, cyclone, typhoon, anticyclone,<br />

hurricane, extra-tropical cyclone, tropical cyclone,<br />

Nontechnical tornado, Nautical white squall, Australian<br />

willy-willy, Colloq US whirly: A whole row <strong>of</strong> houses was<br />

destroyed in the whirlwind.<br />

--adj. 2 speedy, quick, swift, sudden, precipitous, lightning,<br />

headlong, hasty, rash, impetuous: It was one <strong>of</strong> those whirlwind<br />

romances that last till the wind dies down.<br />

whisk v. 1 rush, dart, sweep, brush: Agatha whisked about the room,<br />

aimlessly moving small objects about on tables and shelves. 2<br />

speed, rush, carry, whip, hasten, hustle, hurry: <strong>The</strong> taxi came<br />

and whisked Fran <strong>of</strong>f to the airport. 3 See whip, 4, above.<br />

--n. 4 sweep, wave, brush, flick: With a whisk <strong>of</strong> his hand he<br />

dismissed the servants. 5 brush, fly-whisk: <strong>The</strong> chief flicked<br />

his whisk to signal that the audience was ended. 6 beater,<br />

whip: It is quicker to whip cream with a whisk.<br />

whisky n. whiskey, alcohol, spirits, John Barleycorn, usquebaugh,<br />

Scotch, home-brew, mother's ruin (= 'gin'), Scots barley-bree,<br />

Brit Scotch, US rye, bourbon, white lightning, white mule,<br />

moonshine, Colloq booze, hooch, rot-gut, US corn, fire-water,<br />

Slang US Sneaky Pete, smoke: Peter is a welcome guest who<br />

always remembers to bring a bottle <strong>of</strong> whisky.<br />

whisper v. 1 breathe, murmur, mutter, mumble, hiss, speak or say s<strong>of</strong>tly<br />

or under (one's) breath, sigh, susurrate: He whispered sweet<br />

nothings in her ear. 2 gossip, bruit about, noise abroad,<br />

murmur, insinuate, hint, rumour, disclose, divulge, reveal,<br />

breathe a word: We have all heard Corin whispering <strong>of</strong> your<br />

wife's infidelities.<br />

--n. 3 murmur, undertone, hushed tone(s): Why do you always<br />

speak in whispers when talking about Nesta? 4 hint, suggestion,

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