tourbillon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical, formal
Quick answer
What does “tourbillon” mean?
A mechanism in mechanical watches that rotates the balance wheel and escapement to counteract the effects of gravity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mechanism in mechanical watches that rotates the balance wheel and escapement to counteract the effects of gravity.
A whirlwind or vortex; metaphorically, any complex or intricate rotating system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning; minor pronunciation variations exist.
Connotations
Associated with high-end watchmaking, luxury, and technical sophistication in both regions.
Frequency
Equally rare in British and American English, confined to specialized fields like horology or descriptive prose.
Grammar
How to Use “tourbillon” in a Sentence
noun + prepositional phrase (e.g., tourbillon in a watch)adjective + noun (e.g., intricate tourbillon)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing luxury watches; e.g., 'The tourbillon enhances the watch's value and appeal.'
Academic
Discussed in horology or engineering papers; e.g., 'The tourbillon's design minimizes gravitational errors.'
Everyday
Rarely used; if mentioned, it's in contexts of expensive watches or as a metaphor for complexity.
Technical
Specific to watchmaking; e.g., 'The tourbillon rotates once per minute to offset positional variance.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tourbillon”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tourbillon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tourbillon”
- Mispronouncing as 'tour-billion'
- Using it to refer to any watch component without the rotating function.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A tourbillon is a rotating mechanism in mechanical watches designed to offset the effects of gravity on accuracy.
No, it is a specialized term mostly used in horology, luxury goods, or technical descriptions.
In British English, pronounce it as /tʊəˈbɪl.jɒn/; in American English, as /tʊrˈbɪl.jən/.
Yes, it can metaphorically refer to any whirlwind or complex rotating system, though this usage is less common.
A mechanism in mechanical watches that rotates the balance wheel and escapement to counteract the effects of gravity.
Tourbillon is usually technical, formal in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'tour' as in a tour de force and 'billon' sounding like billion; a tourbillon is a billion-dollar watch feature that tours around to improve accuracy.
Conceptual Metaphor
Precision and complexity; often metaphorically applied to intricate systems or elegant solutions in various domains.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a tourbillon in watchmaking?