tourbillion

English

Etymology

See tourbillon.

Noun

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

• “tourbillion”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.