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Spiral vs Whorl - What's the difference?

spiral | whorl | Related terms |

In intransitive terms the difference between spiral and whorl

is that spiral is to move along the path of a spiral or helix while whorl is to form a pattern of concentric circles.

As an adjective spiral

is helical, like a spiral.

spiral

English

(wikipedia spiral)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (geometry) A curve that is the locus of a point that rotates about a fixed point while continuously increasing its distance from that point.
  • (informal) A helix.
  • A self-sustaining process with a lot of momentum involved, so it is difficult to accelerate or stop it at once.

    • Derived terms

    * death spiral * downward spiral * graveyard spiral * spiral staircase * upward spiral

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Helical, like a spiral

    • Verb

  • To move along the path of a spiral or helix.
    • The falling leaves spiralled down from the tree.
  • (figuratively) To increase continually.
    • Her debts were spiralling out of control.

    External links

    * (commonslite)

    Anagrams

    * ----

    whorl

    English

    (wikipedia whorl)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A pattern of concentric circles.
  • (botany) A circle of three or more leaves, flowers, or other organs, about the same part or joint of a stem.
  • (zoology) A volution, or turn, of the spire of a univalve shell.
  • (archaic) A flywheel, a weight attached to a spindle, compare 1460.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To form a pattern of concentric circles.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2008, date=February 12, author=Jennifer Dunning, title=Modern Style, Old-Fashioned Virtues, work=New York Times citation
    • , passage=“Waves Against the Sand,” to music by Martinu, which opened the program, filled the stage space with whorling patterns of dancers surging with the gentle but ceaseless momentum of the sea. }}

    References

    * * * whorl, Glossary of Terms, American Rhododendron Society English terms with homophones