Whorl (?), n. [OE. whorvil the whirl of a spindle; akin to AS. hweorfa the whirl of a spindle, hweorfan to turn; cf. OD. worvel the whirl of a spindle. See Whirl, n. & v.]
1. Bot.
A circle of two or more leaves, flowers, or other organs, about the same part or joint of a stem.
2. Zool.
A volution, or turn, of the spire of a univalve shell.
3. Spinning
The fly of a spindle.
© Webster 1913.