Whorl (noun)

1. A round, spiral, or concentric arrangement or pattern, as in a fingerprint.
2. A ring of leaves, flowers, or branches around a stem.
3. A coil or ring of hair or fibers.
4. A ring or spiral of color on the wing of a butterfly or moth.
5. A spiral turn or coil, as in a rope or wire.
6. A ring of clouds or fog.

Origin:

Middle english hwirl, from old english hweorl; akin to old high german hwiril spiral, latin curvus curved, greek kyrbos curved.

Examples:

1. The whorl of a fingerprint can be used to identify a person.
2. The flower has a whorl of petals around its center.
3. The wool was spun into a whorl of yarn.
4. The butterfly's wing had a beautiful whorl of orange and black.
5. The rope was coiled into a tight whorl.
6. The whorl of clouds expanded as it approached the coast.