Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A slap; a blow. Also written wherret, whirrit, whirrick.
  • To hurry; trouble; tease.
  • To give a box on the ear to.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • This so incensed Panurge that he forthwith lifted his hand to have stricken him the dumb roister and given him a sound whirret on the ear, but that the respect and reverence which he carried to the presence of Pantagruel restrained his choler and kept his fury within bounds and limits.

    Five books of the lives, heroic deeds and sayings of Gargantua and his son Pantagruel 2002

  • This so incensed Panurge that he forthwith lifted his hand to have stricken him the dumb roister and given him a sound whirret on the ear, but that the respect and reverence which he carried to the presence of Pantagruel restrained his choler and kept his fury within bounds and limits.

    Five books of the lives, heroic deeds and sayings of Gargantua and his son Pantagruel 2002

  • I forthwith went, he following me at the heels, and now and then giving me a whirret on the ear, which, the way to my chamber lying through the hall where John Rance was, he, poor man, might see and be sorry for (as I doubt not but he was), but could not help me.

    The History of Thomas Ellwood Written by Himself Ellwood, Thomas, 1639-1713 1885

  • I forthwith went, he following me at the heels, and now and then giving me a whirret on the ear, which, the way to my chamber lying through the hall where John Rance was, he, poor man, might see and be sorry for (as I doubt not but he was), but could not help me.

    The History of Thomas Ellwood Written By Himself Thomas Ellwood 1676

  • This so incensed Panurge that he forthwith lifted his hand to have stricken him the dumb roister and given him a sound whirret on the ear, but that the respect and reverence which he carried to the presence of Pantagruel restrained his choler and kept his fury within bounds and limits.

    Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 3 Fran��ois Rabelais 1518

  • Then did the monk with his staff of the cross give him such a sturdy thump and whirret betwixt his neck and shoulders, upon the acromion bone, that he made him lose both sense and motion and fall down stone dead at his horse's feet; and, seeing the sign of the star which he wore scarfwise, he said unto Gargantua, These men are but priests, which is but the beginning of a monk; by St. John, I am a perfect monk, I will kill them to you like flies.

    Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 1 Fran��ois Rabelais 1518

Comments

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  • Quoth Ernest while risen in spirit,
    "See, knave, my anger and fear it!
    So dread that I smite thee
    A blow which is mighty.
    Beware, lest I give thee a whirret!"

    Find out more about Ernest Bafflewit

    December 29, 2014