Main Entry:

¹spin

Pronunciation:

\ˈspin\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

spun \ˈspən\ ; spin·ning

Etymology:

Middle English spinnen, from Old English spinnan; akin to Old High German spinnan to spin and perhaps to Lithuanian spęsti to set (a trap)

Date:

before 12th century

intransitive verb1: to draw out and twist fiber into yarn or thread2: to form a thread by extruding a viscous rapidly hardening fluid —used especially of a spider or insect3 a: to revolve rapidly : gyrate b: to feel as if in a whirl : reel <my head is spinning>4: to move swiftly especially on or as if on wheels or in a vehicle5: to fish with spinning bait : troll6 aof an airplane : to fall in a spin b: to plunge helplessly and out of control7: to engage in spin control (as in politics)transitive verb1 a: to draw out and twist into yarns or threads b: to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous material2: to form (as a web or cocoon) by spinning3 a: to stretch out or extend (as a story) lengthily : protract —usually used with out b: to evolve, express, or fabricate by processes of mind or imagination <spin a yarn>4: to cause to whirl : impart spin to <spin a top>5: to shape into threadlike form in manufacture ; also : to manufacture by a whirling process6: to set (records or compact discs) rotating on a player : play <spin some discs>7: to present (as information) with a particular spin <spin the statistics>

— spin one's wheels

: to make futile efforts to achieve progress