Where does “whir” come from?

Whir comes from Middle English whirren, of unknown origin.

whir (English): Alternative spelling of whirr

Definitions

  1. Alternative spelling of whirr

Ancestry of “whir”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishwhirrTo move or vibrate with a buzzing sound; To make...
2Middle Englishwhirren—
3Old Norsehvirflato whirl, spread

Words derived from “whir”

Every word from Old Norse hvirfla →Every word from Middle English whirren →Every word from English whirr →