Middle English Dictionary Entry

whirl-gig n.
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Entry Info

Forms whirl-gig n. Also whirlegig(ge, whirlegige, whirlegogge.
Etymology From whirl n. or whirlen v.; 2nd element prob. from ON: cp Dan. gig a top & Norw. dial. giga to shake about.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. gig-mille n.
1.
(a) A child’s top, a whirligig; (b) ?a rotating device, perh. a treading wheel, used to wind things up into a tower.
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