whim

Etymology 1

Clipping of whim-wham.

noun

1. A fanciful impulse, or sudden change of idea.
   The king was tired of this whim of hers long ago, and thought she ought to get married like other people; there was nothing she need wait for, she was old enough and she would not be any richer either, for she was to have half the kingdom, which she inherited after her mother. 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 269
   “You’re either with me or you’re against me” became Dany’s credo, and those against her were an ever-changing multitude to be determined solely by her whims. 19 May 2019, Alex McLevy, “The final Game Of Thrones brings a pensive but simple meditation about stories (newbies)”, in The A.V. Club
   Let ev'ry Man enjoy his whim; / What's He to Me, or I to him? 1763, Charles Churchill, The Ghost, book IV, J. Coote, →OCLC, page 137
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

verb

1. (rare, intransitive) To be seized with a whim; to be capricious.

Etymology 2

Compare whimbrel.

noun

1. A bird, the Eurasian wigeon.