Whim /(?)/

Whim

n.
  1. The European widgeon. (Zool.) [Prov. Eng.]

Whim

n.
  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. 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. (Mining)

Phrases & Compounds
Whim gin
a whim. See Whim, 2.
Whim shaft
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.
  1. To be subject to, or indulge in, whims; to be whimsical, giddy, or freakish. [R.]