spiral
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1spi·ral
adjective \ˈspī-rəl\Definition of SPIRAL
1
a : winding around a center or pole and gradually receding from or approaching it <the spiral curve of a watch spring> b : helical c : spiral-bound <a spiral notebook>
2
: of or relating to the advancement to higher levels through a series of cyclical movements
— spi·ral·ly \-rə-lē\ adverb
See Examples of SPIRAL
- <a spiral staircase takes visitors up into the Statue of Liberty>
Origin of SPIRAL
Medieval Latin spiralis, from Latin spira coil — more at spire
First Known Use: 1551
2spiral
nounDefinition of SPIRAL
1
a : the path of a point in a plane moving around a central point while continuously receding from or approaching it b : a three-dimensional curve (as a helix) with one or more turns about an axis
2
: a single turn or coil in a spiral object
3
: something having a spiral form as: a : spiral galaxy b (1) : a spiral flight (2) : a kick or pass in which a football rotates on its long axis while moving through the air
4
: a continuously spreading and accelerating increase or decrease <wage spirals>
Examples of SPIRAL
- The glider flew in a wide spiral over the field.
- The quarterback threw a tight spiral to the receiver.
First Known Use of SPIRAL
1656
3spiral
verbspiraled or spiralledspiral·ing or spiral·ling
Definition of SPIRAL
intransitive verb
: to go and especially to rise or fall in a spiral course <costs spiraled upward>
transitive verb
1
: to form into a spiral
2
: to cause to spiral
Examples of SPIRAL
- Smoke spiraled up from the chimney.
- The airplane spiraled to the ground and crashed.
- The unemployment rate has been spiraling upward.
- The stock market is spiraling downward.
- Let's deal with this crisis before it spirals out of control.
First Known Use of SPIRAL
1834
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