whisk, n. [Probably for wisk, and of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. visk a wisp; akin to Dan. visk, Sw. viska, D. wisch, OHG. wisc, G. wisch. See Wisp.].

The act of whisking; a rapid, sweeping motion, as of something light; a sudden motion or quick puff. [1913 Webster]
"This first sad whisk
Takes off thy dukedom; thou art but an earl." [1913 Webster]
A small bunch of grass, straw, twigs, hair, or the like, used for a brush; hence, a brush or small besom, as of broom corn. [1913 Webster]
A small culinary instrument made of wire, or the like, for whisking or beating eggs, cream, etc. Boyle. [1913 Webster]
A kind of cape, forming part of a woman's dress. [1913 Webster]
"My wife in her new lace whisk." [1913 Webster]
An impertinent fellow. Halliwell. [1913 Webster]
A plane used by coopers for evening chines. [1913 Webster]

whisk, v. t. [Cf. Dan. viske, Sw. viska, G. wischen, D. wisschen. See Whisk, n.].

To sweep, brush, or agitate, with a light, rapid motion; as, to whisk dust from a table; to whisk the white of eggs into a froth. [1913 Webster]
To move with a quick, sweeping motion. [1913 Webster]
"He that walks in gray, whisking his riding rod." [1913 Webster]

"I beg she would not impale worms, nor whisk carp out of one element into another." [1913 Webster]

whisk, v. i.

To move nimbly at with velocity; to make a sudden agile movement. [1913 Webster]

top

OXFORD DICTIONARY

whisk, v. & n.
--v.
1 tr. (foll. by away, off) a brush with a sweeping movement. b take with a sudden motion (whisked the plate away).
2 tr. whip (cream, eggs, etc.).
3 tr. & intr. convey or go (esp. out of sight) lightly or quickly (whisked me off to the doctor; the mouse whisked into its hole).
4 tr. wave or lightly brandish.
--n.
1 a whisking action or motion.
2 a utensil for whisking eggs or cream etc.
3 a bunch of grass, twigs, bristles, etc., for removing dust or flies.

Etymology

ME wisk, prob. Scand.: cf. ON visk wisp

top

THESAURUS

whisk

aerate, agitate, agitator, ball the jack, barrel, beak, bear, beat, beat up, beater, boom, bowl along, breeze, breeze along, broom, brush, brush off, bullet, bunt, carry, chuck, churn, churn up, clip, conduct, convey, convulse, cream, cut along, dab, disarrange, discompose, disquiet, disturb, eggbeater, excite, ferment, fillip, fleet, flick, flip, flirt, flit, flurry, fly, fly low, foam, foot, freight, fret, froth, go fast, graze, highball, jiggler, lather, lift, lug, make knots, manhandle, mantle, nip, outstrip the wind, pack, paddle, pat, peck, perturb, perturbate, pick, pour it on, rap, rile, rip, ripple, roil, roughen, ruffle, rumple, scorch, scum, shake, shake up, shaker, sizzle, skim, snap, speed, spume, stir, stir up, storm along, sud, suds, sweep, sweep out, sweep up, swirl, take, tap, tear, tear along, thunder along, tickle, tip, tote, touch, transport, trouble, upset, vacuum, vacuum-clean, vibrator, waft, whip, whip up, whish, whiz, wing, work up, zing, zip, zoom

top

ROGET THESAURUS

whisk

Velocity

VB move quickly, trip, fisk, speed, hie, hasten, post, spank, scuttle, scud, scuddle, scour, scour the plain, scamper, run like mad, beat it, fly, race, run a race, cut away, shot, tear, whisk, zoom, swoosh, sweep, skim, brush, cut along, bowl along, barrel along, barrel, scorch, burn up the track, rush, dash on, dash off, dash forward, bolt, trot, gallop, amble, troll, bound, flit, spring, dart, boom, march in quick time, march in double time, ride hard, get over the ground, hurry, accelerate, put on, quicken, quicken one's pace, mend one's pace, clap spurs to one's horse, make haste, make rapid strides, make forced marches, make the best of one's way, put one's best leg foremost, stir one's stumps, wing one's way, set off at a score, carry sail, crowd sail, go off like a shot, go like a shot, go ahead, gain ground, outstrip the wind, fly on the wings of the wind, keep up with, keep pace with, outstrip, outmarch.

Circuition

VB turn, bend, wheel, go about, put about, heel, go round to the right about, turn round to the right about, turn on one's heel, make a circle, make a complete circle, describe a circle, describe a complete circle, go through 180 degrees, go through 360 degrees, pass through 180 degrees, pass through 360 degrees, circumnavigate, circumambulate, circumvent, put a girdle round about the earth, go the round, make the round of, wind, circulate, meander, whisk, twirl, twist, make a detour.

Agitation

VB be agitated, shake, tremble, tremble like an aspen leaf, quiver, quaver, quake, shiver, twitter, twire, writhe, toss, shuffle, tumble, stagger, bob, reel, sway, wag, waggle, wriggle, wriggle like an eel, dance, stumble, shamble, flounder, totter, flounce, flop, curvet, prance, cavort, squirm, throb, pulsate, beat, palpitate, go pitapat, flutter, flitter, flicker, bicker, bustle, ferment, effervesce, foam, boil, boil over, bubble up, simmer, toss about, jump about, jump like a parched pea, shake like an aspen leaf, shake to its center, shake to its foundations, be the sport of the winds and waves, reel to and fro like a drunken man, move from post to pillar and from pillar to post, drive from post to pillar and from pillar to post, keep between hawk and buzzard, agitate, shake, convulse, toss, tumble, bandy, wield, brandish, flap, flourish, whisk, jerk, hitch, jolt, jog, joggle, jostle, buffet, hustle, disturb, stir, shake up, churn, jounce, wallop, whip, vellicate.

For further exploring for "whisk" in Webster Dictionary Online