spiral
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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

Examples of SPIRAL

  1. <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

Related to SPIRAL

Rhymes with SPIRAL

2spiral

noun

Definition 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

  1. The glider flew in a wide spiral over the field.
  2. The quarterback threw a tight spiral to the receiver.

First Known Use of SPIRAL

1656

3spiral

verb
spiraled 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

  1. Smoke spiraled up from the chimney.
  2. The airplane spiraled to the ground and crashed.
  3. The unemployment rate has been spiraling upward.
  4. The stock market is spiraling downward.
  5. Let's deal with this crisis before it spirals out of control.

First Known Use of SPIRAL

1834

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