Whim, n. [Cf. Icel. hwima to wander
with the eyes, vim giddiness, Norw. kvima to whisk or flutter
about, to trifle, Dan. vimse to skip, whisk, jump from one thing to
another, dial. Sw. hvimsa to be unsteady, dizzy, W. chwimio
to move briskly.]
1. A sudden turn or start of the mind; a temporary
eccentricity; a freak; a fancy; a capricious notion; a humor; a
caprice.
Let every man enjoy his whim.
Churchill.
2. (Mining) A large capstan or vertical drum
turned by horse power or steam power, for raising ore or water, etc., from
mines, or for other purposes; -- called also whim gin, and
whimsey.
Whim gin (Mining), a whim. See
Whim, 2. -- Whim shaft (Mining), a
shaft through which ore, water, etc., is raised from a mine by means of a
whim.
Syn. -- Freak; caprice; whimsey; fancy. -- Whim,
Freak, Caprice. Freak denotes an impulsive,
inconsiderate change of mind, as by a child or a lunatic. Whim is a
mental eccentricity due to peculiar processes or habits of thought.
Caprice is closely allied in meaning to freak, but implies
more definitely a quality of willfulness or wantonness.
Whim, v. i. To be subject to, or indulge
in, whims; to be whimsical, giddy, or freakish. [R.]
Congreve.
Whim (?), n. [Cf. Whimbrel.]
(Zoöl.) The European widgeon. [Prov. Eng.]