turmoil Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a violent disturbance
    upheaval; convulsion.
    • the convulsions of the stock market
  2. noun violent agitation
    tumult.
  3. noun disturbance usually in protest
    excitement; hullabaloo; upheaval; agitation.

WordNet

Tur"moil noun
Etymology
Of uncertain origin; perhaps fr. OF. tremouille the hopper of a mill, trembler to tremble (cf. E. tremble); influenced by E. turn and moil.
Definitions
  1. Harassing labor; trouble; molestation by tumult; disturbance; worrying confusion.
    And there I'll rest, as after much turmoil, A blessed soul doth in Elysium. Shak.
Tur*moil" transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Turmoiled ; present participle & verbal noun Turmoiling
Definitions
  1. To harass with commotion; to disquiet; to worry. Obs.
    It is her fatal misfortune . . . to be miserably tossed and turmoiled with these storms of affliction. Spenser.
Tur*moil" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To be disquieted or confused; to be in commotion. Obs. Milton.

Webster 1913