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whirlpool

1. An eddy or vortex of water; a place in a body of water where the water moves round in a circle so as to produce a depression or cavity in the center, into which floating objects may be drawn; any body of water having a more or less circular motion caused by its flowing in an irregular channel, by the coming together of opposing currents, or the like.

2. A sea monster of the whale kind. The indian sea breedeth the most and the biggest fishes that are; among which the whales and whirlpools, called balaenae, take up in length as much as four . . . Arpents of land. (Holland)