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tourbillon

whirlpool, whirlwind

noun toor-bee-YOHN Rare

Also means

swirl, vortex

Usage Note

Tourbillon describes any spinning vortex — a whirlpool in water, a dust devil, or a whirlwind. Figuratively, un tourbillon de la vie refers to the hectic rush of everyday life. In horology, the tourbillon is a prestigious watchmaking mechanism designed to counteract gravity, lending the word a sense of mechanical elegance.

Examples

"Un tourbillon de feuilles balayait la rue."

Natural Translation

A whirl of leaves swept across the street.

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