Päris

Pööris is an Estonian word that translates to "whirlwind," "vortex," or "eddy" in English. It refers to a phenomenon where a mass of air or fluid rotates rapidly around an axis. These rotations can occur in various scales and contexts.

In meteorology, a pööris can describe a small, often brief, column of rotating air that lifts dust or debris from the ground. These are commonly known as dust devils. Larger, more intense rotating storms, such as tornadoes or waterspouts, could also be referred to by the term pööris in a broader sense, emphasizing their swirling nature.

Beyond atmospheric phenomena, pööris can also be used to describe a vortex in water. This might occur in a river where currents meet, creating a swirling pattern, or in a bathtub drain. The concept signifies a rotational movement within a fluid medium. The term's application is context-dependent, but the core meaning consistently relates to a spinning or whirling motion.