gyration

noun

1. (also, countable, figuratively, uncountable)The act of turning or whirling, especially around a fixed axis or centre; a circular or spiral motion; rotation.

   “Novv that the ayre impelled returnes unto its place in a gyration or vvhirling, is evident from the Atomes or moates in the Sun. For vvhen the Sunne ſo enters a hole or vvindovv, that by its illumination the Atomes or moates become perceptible, if then by our breath the ayre bee gently impelled, it may be perceived that they vvill circularly returne, and in a gyration unto their places againe.”

   “If Regularity and ſteddineſs accompany Velocity; the motion then leaves not the leaſt track in the ſenſitive. Thus a French Top, the common recreation of School-boys, throvvn from a cord vvhich vvas vvound about it, will ſtand as if it vvere fixt on the floor it lighted; and yet continue in its repeated Gyrations, vvhile the ſenſe diſcovers not the leaſt footſteps of that præcipitate Rotation.”

   “If a burning Coal be nimbly moved round in a Circle vvith Gyrations continually repeated, the vvhole Circle vvill appear like fire; the reaſon of vvhich is, that the ſenſation of the Coal in the ſeveral places of that Circle remains impreſt on the Senſorium, until the Coal return again to the ſame place.”

   “His life was a gyration of energetic curiosity; an insatiable whirl of social celebrity.”

   “If you question a seaman on the subject, whether mere coaster or circumnavigator, he will tell you that in a snow-storm, because of its constant eddyings and gyrations, frequent trimming of sails is more necessary than in any other gale, and that to steer a straight and steady course under such circumstances is for the time simply impossible.”

2. (also, countable, figuratively, specifically, uncountable)The act of turning or whirling, especially around a fixed axis or centre; a circular or spiral motion; rotation.
3. (countable, uncountable)One of the whorls of a spiral univalve shell.
4. (countable, uncountable)The arrangement of convolutions of gyri in the cerebral cortex of the brain.