Definition of: whirligig

(hwûr′lə·gig′) noun
1. Any toy or small device that revolves rapidly on an axis.
2. A merry–go–round.
3. Anything that performs quick revolutions or moves in a cycle: the whirligig of time.
4. Any of a family (Gyrinidae) of water beetles that frequent the surface of smooth water and move in swift circles: also whirligig beetle.
5. A trifling ornament, as one used by printers; also, a fanciful notion. [<whirly (<WHIRL) + GIG¹ (def. 4)]