tourbillion

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English

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Etymology

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See tourbillon.

Noun

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tourbillion (plural tourbillions)

  1. (archaic) An ornamental firework that turns round in the air so as to form a scroll of fire.
    • 1700, Mrs. Behn (translator), Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle, The Theory Or System of Several New Inhabited Worlds Lately Discover'd:
      This azure Vault has a greater Depth and a vaster Extent , and that ' tis divided into a thousand and a thousand different Tourbillions or Whirlings
    • 1939, Jan Struther, “Guy Fawkes' Day”, in Mrs. Miniver:
      Clem knew ... the sober, familiar names usually produced the most interesting results. He laid out a certain amount on Roman Candles, Catherine-wheels, and Tourbillions, but for the most part he rightly concentrated on rockets.

References

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