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Whim vs Quirk - What's the difference?

whim | quirk |

As nouns the difference between whim and quirk

is that whim is a fanciful impulse, or whimsical idea while quirk is an idiosyncrasy; a slight glitch, mannerism; something unusual about the manner or style of something or someone.

As a verb quirk is

to move with a wry jerk.

whim

English

(wikipedia whim)

Etymology 1

Apocopal derivation of "whim-wham."

Noun

(en noun)
  • A fanciful impulse, or whimsical idea
  • * Churchill
    • Let every man enjoy his whim .
  • (mining) 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
    • Synonyms
    * (fancy) lark, especially in phrase on a whim
    Derived terms
    * on a whim * whim gin * whim shaft * whimsical

    External links

    * Picture of a horse-powered whim used to wind the cables on to work the mine between the depth of 50 feet to 500 feet - photo taken at Gympie, Queensland, Australia

    Etymology 2

    Compare whimbrel.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A bird, the European widgeon.

    • quirk

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • an idiosyncrasy; a slight glitch, mannerism; something unusual about the manner or style of something or someone
    • The car steers cleanly, but the gearshift has a few quirks .
  • (architecture) An acute angle dividing a molding; a groove that runs lengthwise between the upper part of a moulding and a soffit
  • (archaic) A quibble, evasion, or subterfuge.

    • Derived terms

    * quirky

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (ambitransitive) To move with a wry jerk.
    • He quirked an eyebrow.
    The corners of her mouth quirked .