Whim

WHIM, sb.1 Nhb. Dur. Yks. Lan. Der. Pem. Dev. Cor. Also written wim Der. Pem.; and in forms whem Cor.1 Cor.2; whims w.Yks.1 ne.Lan.1 [wim.] A mining term: a winding engine worked by horse-power; also in comp. Whim-engine, or Whim-gin. Cf. whimsey, 4. Nhb.1 When the older ‘cog-and-rung-gin,’ which worked directly over a pit shaft, was superseded, the new engine was called a ‘whim,’ a ‘whimsey,’ or ‘whim-gin.’ ‘In a whim-gin the ropes run upon two wheel pullies over the shaft. The roller is at some distance, and the circular track of the horses is not round the shaft,’ Brand Hist. Newcastle (1789) II. 684. Nhb., Dur. Nicholson Coal Tr. Gl. (1888). w.Yks.1, ne.Lan.1, s.Lan.1 Der. Mawe Mineral. (1802) Gl. s.Pem. Laws Little Eng. (1888) 422. Dev. A singular kind of bridge, formed, I imagine, of part of an old wheel, or whim, Bray Desc. Tamar and Tavy (1836) II. Lett. xxxi. Cor.1 I druv' a whem; Cor.2 A large hollow drum with a perpendicular axis and a powerful transverse beam, worked by one or two horses walking in a circle, by which the kibble is made

to ascend or descend in a shaft.

WHIM, sb.2 Obs. Dor. The brow of a hill. (Hall.)

WHIM, v. w.Yks.2 [wim.] To cheer. It whimmed me on my way.