Meaning
A spinning column of wind — a dust devil that rises on a hot, still day, whirling up dust, dry leaves, and rubbish as it moves across the ground. The whirlwind is a common sight in the dry season, and in folk belief it is often read as a 'duppy wind', a spirit passing, so that people step out of its path. As a figure of speech, to move 'like a whirlwind' is to rush about wildly and fast.
Examples
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A whirlwind lif up di dry leaf dem.
A whirlwind lifted up the dry leaves.
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Di whirlwind spin cross di field.
The whirlwind spun across the field.
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Him rush een like a whirlwind.
He rushed in like a whirlwind.
Origin
From English 'whirlwind'; a spinning dust-devil, often read as a spirit. See [[duppy-wind]], [[hurricane]].
How it’s used
A spinning dust-devil; folk-read as a duppy wind. See [[duppy-wind]], [[hurricane]].