tourbillion

tourbillion
/toor bil"yeuhn/, n.
1. a whirlwind or something resembling a whirlwind.
2. a firework that rises spirally.
3. Horol. a frame for the escapement of a timepiece, esp. a watch, geared to the going train in such a way as to rotate the escapement about once a minute in order to minimize positional error. Cf. karrusel.
[1470-80; earlier turbilloun < MF to(u)rbillon < VL *turbilionem, dissimilated var. of *turbinionem, acc. of *turbinio whirlwind. See TURBINE, -ION]

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  • Tourbillion — Tour*bil lion, n. [F. torbillion a whirlwind, tourbillion, fr. L. turbo, inis, a whirl, whirlwind.] An ornamental firework which turns round, when in the air, so as to form a scroll of fire. G. Francis. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tourbillion — [toor bil′yən] n. [LME turbilloun < MFr tourbillon, whirlwind, altered < VL * turbinio < L turbo: see TURBINE] 1. Obs. a whirlwind 2. a fireworks device that rises with a spiral motion …   English World dictionary

  • tourbillion — or tourbillon noun Etymology: Anglo French turbeillun, ultimately from Latin turbin , turbo more at turbine Date: 15th century 1. whirlwind 1 2. a vortex especially of a whirlwind or whirlpool …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • tourbillion — n. whirlwind; whirlpool, vortex; firework that goes up in a spiral manner; any object that moves or travels rapidly in a spiral manner …   English contemporary dictionary

  • tourbillion — tour·bil·lion …   English syllables

  • tourbillion — tour•bil•lion [[t]tʊərˈbɪl yən[/t]] n. 1) mer a whirlwind 2) a firework that rises spirally • Etymology: 1470–80; earlier turbilloun < MF to(u) rbillon < VL *turbiliōnem, dissimilated var. of *turbiniōnem, acc. of *turbiniō whirlwind …   From formal English to slang

  • tourbillion — /tʊəˈbɪliən/ (say toouh bileeuhn) noun 1. a whirlwind. 2. a firework, as a rocket, which spirals in display. 3. the whirl in the hair on the crown of the head. 4. an astral force which is said to be the base of the human spirit. {Middle French… …  

  • tourbillion —   n. whirlwind; any whirling object …   Dictionary of difficult words

  • tourbillion — …   Useful english dictionary

  • Greubel Forsey — Infobox Company company name = Greubel Forsey company company type = Watch Maker foundation = 2004 location = La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland key people = area served = Worldwide industry = Watch Making products = Luxury Timepieces revenue =… …   Wikipedia

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