Whirler

noun

1. One who or that which whirls.
2. In <em>rope-manuf.</em>, one of the revolving hooks to which the hemp is fastened in the operations of twisting it into rope-yarn or small rope.
3. In <em>ceramics</em>, a primitive horizontal wheel turned by one hand while the other hand of the potter fashions the clay; also a revolving wheel used by decorators in painting bands of slip, color, or gold on the ware; a decorating-wheel. See <internalXref urlencoded="tournette">tournette</internalXref>.
4. A revolving derrick used in loading iron ore on cars, or transferring it from cars to a vessel.
5. An instrument designed to furnish a navigator with an artificial horizon when at sea. It is also known as <em>Troughton's top</em>, after its inventor, and <em>spinner.</em>