Obs. [Chiefly of 16th c.: origin obscure. Sense 1 might possibly arise out of THIRL v.1, and give origin to the intr. sense 2. But sense 3 appears to have some connection with whirl: cf. note in etym. of THIRLEPOLL.]
1. trans. To hurl (a missile, etc.), esp. with spinning or revolving motion. Hence Thirled ppl. a.3
1567. Turberv., Epitaphs, etc., C ij b. First shall you see the shiuering shafts and vewe the thirled darts.
1587. Mirr. Mag. (1610), 477. These … who deem’d themselues in skies to dwell, She [Fortune] thirleth downe to dread the gulfes of gastly hell.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, I. iv. (1632), 9. On whom a Moore hath thirl’d his slinged speare. Ibid., xlviii. 157. With monstrous buzzing came a fire-dart thirled, As if a thunder-bolt had there beene whirled.
2. intr. To pass or fly with darting or spinning motion.
1565. Golding, Ovid’s Met., VIII. 98 b. He tooke the Chaplet from hir head, and vp to Heauen it threw, The Chaplet thirled through the Aire [l. 179 tenues volat illa per auras] and as it gliding flew [etc.].
1567–a. 1593. [see THIRLING ppl. a.2].
3. trans. To whirl, twirl, roll or wind round.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, II. (Arb.), 59. [The adder] hym self now youthfulye bleacheth, His tayle smoog thirling, slyke breast to Titan vpheauing [Lubrica convolvit sublato pectore terga].
1594. Nashe, Unfort. Trav., 16. Like a countrie huswiues banskin, which she thirles her spindle on.
