whirlwind

noun

1. A windstorm of limited extent, such as a tornado, dust devil, or waterspout, characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with an upward current in the center; a vortex of air.

   “VVhile in the mean time there iſſued out on the Eaſt-ſide a ſtrong VVind, but pure and refreſhing, vvhich dividing into ſeveral parts that turned round became ſo many innocuous VVhirl-vvinds of ſincere Air, tinctured only vvith a cool refreſhing ſmell, as if it had paſſed over ſome large field of Lilies and Roſes.”

   “And his hoofs ground the rocks to fire and dust, / His strong sides made the torrents rise in spray, / And turbulence, as if a whirlwind’s gust / Surrounded us; […]”

2. (figuratively)A person or body of objects or events sweeping violently onward.

   “Once he got that new scooter he turned into a whirlwind and damaged all the flowers.”

   “The weeks leading up to the convention were a whirlwind of preparation and hurried activity.”

   “swept up in the whirlwind of war”

adj

1. (not-comparable)Rapid and minimal.

   “a whirlwind tour, a whirlwind romance”

   “So you aren't deserting the Caversham ship. They'll understand. After all, their courtship was pretty whirlwind itself.”