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Whim vs Whimsy - What's the difference?

whim | whimsy |

In mining terms the difference between whim and whimsy

is that whim is 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 while whimsy is a whim.

As nouns the difference between whim and whimsy

is that whim is a fanciful impulse, or whimsical idea while whimsy is a quaint and fanciful idea. A whim. Playfully odd behaviour.

As a verb whimsy is

to fill with whimsies or whims; to make fantastic; to craze.

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.

    • whimsy

    English

    Alternative forms

    * whimsey

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • A quaint and fanciful idea. A whim. Playfully odd behaviour.
    • The whimsies of poets and painters. — Ray.
    Men's folly, whimsies , and inconstancy. — Swift.
    Mistaking the whimseys of a feverish brain for the calm revelation of truth. — Bancroft.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=May 27 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992) , work=The Onion AV Club citation , page= , passage=It’s a lovely sequence cut too short because the show seems afraid to give itself over to romance and whimsy and wistfulness when it has wedgie jokes to deliver. }}
  • An impulsive, illogical or capricious character.
  • (mining) A whim.

    • Verb

  • To fill with whimsies or whims; to make fantastic; to craze.
  • * J. Fletcher
    • To have a man's brain whimsied with his wealth.