whisk

Definition

A quick, light sweeping motion.

Etymology

From Middle English whisk, borrowed from Old Norse visk, from Proto-Germanic *wiskaz, *wiskō (“bundle of hay, wisp”), from Proto-Indo-European *weys-. Cognates Cognate with Danish visk, Dutch wis, German Wisch, Latin virga (“rod, switch”), viscus (“entrails”), Lithuanian vizgéti (“to tremble”), Czech věchet (“wisp of straw”), Sanskrit वेष्क (veṣka, “noose”). Compare also Old English wiscian (“to plait”), granwisc (“awn”). The unetymological wh- is probably expressive of the sound; compare the same development in whip and onomatopoeias such as whack and whoosh.

Example Sentences

• "With a quick whisk, she swept the cat from the pantry with her broom."
• "He used a whisk to whip up a light and airy souffle."
• "Peter dipped the whisk in lather and applied it to his face, so he could start shaving."