DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 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. Mining 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.
 Whim gin Mining, a whim.  See Whim, 2.
 Whim shaft Mining, a shaft through which ore, water, etc., is raised from a mine by means of a whim.
 Syn: -- Freak; caprice; whimsey; fancy.
 Usage: -- 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.