whirligig

Any of various spinning toys.

A carousel; a merry-go-round.

Something that continuously whirls.

A whirligig beetle.

Any toy or trivial object to which a rapid whirling motion is imparted.

A toy which children spin in the hand by means of string.

A carrousel or merry-go-round.

A toy resembling a miniature windmill, which children cause to spin or whirl round by moving it through the air.

Hence, anything that revolves or spins like a whirligig; also, spinning rotation; revolving or recurring course.

In milit. antiq., an instrument for punishing petty offenders, as a kind of wooden cage turning on a pivot, in which the offender was whirled round with great velocity.