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Stage 1 of 2
maalstroom
Dutch · medieval
"a whirling stream"
combining "malen" (to grind, whirl) and "stroom" (stream)
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Stage 2 of 2
maelstrom
English · 1600s-1700s
"a powerful whirlpool"
named a famous whirlpool off the coast of Norway, then any turbulent situation
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