Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Whim
Whim
,Noun.
[Cf. Icel.
hwima
to wander with the eyes, vim
giddiness, Norw. kvima
to whisk or flutter about, to trifle, Dan. vimse
to skip, whisk, jump from one thing to another, dial. Sw. hvimsa
to be unsteady, dizzy, W. chwimio
to move briskly.] 1.
A sudden turn or start of the mind; a temporary eccentricity; a freak; a fancy; a capricious notion; a humor; a caprice.
Let every man enjoy his
whim
. Churchill.
2.
(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; – called also
whim gin
, and whimsey
. Whim gin
(Mining)
, a whim. See
– Whim
, 2. Whim shaft
(Mining)
, a shaft through which ore, water, etc., is raised from a mine by means of a whim.
Syn. – Freak; caprice; whimsey; fancy.
–
Whim
, Freak
, Caprice
. Freak denotes an impulsive, inconsiderate change of mind, as by a child or a lunatic. Whim is a mental eccentricity due to peculiar processes or habits of thought. Caprice is closely allied in meaning to freak, but implies more definitely a quality of willfulness or wantonness. Whim
,Verb.
I.
To be subject to, or indulge in, whims; to be whimsical, giddy, or freakish.
[R.]
Congreve.
Webster 1828 Edition
Whim
WHIM
,Noun.
1.
Properly, a sudden turn or start of the mind; a freak; a fancy; a capricious notion. We say, every man has his whims. [See Freak and Caprice.]All the superfluous whims relate.
2.
A low wit; a cant word.Definition 2024
whim
whim
See also: WHIM
English
Noun
whim (countable and uncountable, plural whims)
- A fanciful impulse, or whimsical idea
- Churchill
- Let every man enjoy his whim.
- Churchill
- (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
Derived terms
Translations
fanciful impulse
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External links
Etymology 2
Compare whimbrel.
Noun
whim (plural whims)
- A bird, the Eurasian wigeon.