rhizoverbBeta
DictionarywhorlSpiral or circular arrangement
noun

whorl

WURL/wɜːrl/

A spiral pattern or ringlike arrangement.

The snail's shell forms an expanding spiral whorl.

Expanding spiral whorl of a snail shell.
Etymology
whorlEnglishspindle flywheel

Whirl named the small rotating flywheel of a spindle. Whorl extended this circular image to arrangements around a plant stem and to the coils of shells and other spiral structures.

In context

Professor Dave Explains3:57
the whorl, found in 30-35% of all observed fingerprint impressions. Observe this impression closely. This pattern looks like a spiral and has a few ridges which complete a circle.
Types of Fingerprint Patterns

More examples

  • His hair grows in a whorl at the crown.
  • The leaves form a whorl around the stem.
  • She pipes whorls of frosting onto the cupcakes.

Forms

whorl · whorls

whorled adjective — Arranged in spirals or circular rings.

Similar words

spiral
Emphasizes a curve winding around a central point.
ring
Describes a closed circle rather than a winding pattern.
swirl
Often suggests twisting movement rather than a fixed arrangement.