WHORL

Source: 567

Whorl (?), n. [[OE. whorvil the whirl of a spindle; akin to AS. hweorfa the whirl of a spindle, hweorfan to turn; cf. OD. worvel the whirl of a spindle. See Whirl, n. & v.]] 1. 1. (Bot.) A circle of two or more leaves, flowers, or other organs, about the same part or joint of a stem.
2. 2. (Zoöl.) A volution, or turn, of the spire of a univalve shell.
3. 3. (Spinning) The fly of a spindle.