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whisk

(wĭsk, hwĭsk)

v. whisked, whisk·ing, whisks

v.tr.

1. To move or cause to move with quick light sweeping motions: whisked crumbs off the table; whisked the children away.

2. To whip (eggs or cream).

v.intr.

To move lightly, nimbly, and rapidly.

1. A quick light sweeping motion.

2. A whiskbroom.

3. A small bunch, as of twigs or hair, attached to a handle and used in brushing.

4. A kitchen utensil, usually in the form of stiff, thin wire loops attached to a handle, used for whipping foodstuffs.

[Middle English wisken, of Scandinavian origin.]

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whisk

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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