Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WHIM, n. [Ice. hwima; W. çwim, a brisk motion, a turn; çwimiaw, to move round briskly; Sp. quimera, a whim, a wild fancy, a scuffle.]

1. Properly, a sudden turn or start of the mind; a freak.
2. Fancy; a capricious notion. We say, every man has his whims. [See Freak and Caprice.] All the superfluous whims relate. – Swift.
3. A low wit; a cant word. – Addison.