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1

coil

play
noun \ ˈkȯi(-ə)l \

Definition of coil

1 :turmoil
2 :trouble; also :everyday cares and worries
  • when we have shuffled off this mortal coil
  • —William Shakespeare

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Origin and Etymology of coil

origin unknown

2

coil

verb

Definition of coil

transitive verb
1 :to wind into rings or spirals
  • coil a rope
2 :to roll or twist into a shape resembling a coil
  • coiled herself up on the couch
intransitive verb
1 :to move in a circular or spiral course
2 :to form or lie in a coil
—

coilability

play \ˌkȯi-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

See coil defined for English-language learners

See coil defined for kids

Examples of coil in a Sentence

  1. She coiled the loose thread around her finger.

  2. A long scarf was coiled around her neck.

  3. The cat coiled up into a ball.

  4. The snake coiled around its prey.

Origin and Etymology of coil

French coillir, cuillir to gather — more at cull

coil Synonyms

Synonyms
wind, corkscrew, curl, entwine, spiral, twine, twist
Related Words
arc, arch, bend, crook, curve, hook, sweep, swerve, turn, veer, wheel; swirl, whirl; circle, encircle, loop; enlace, interlace, intertwine, lace; bow, bulge; meander, weave, zigzag
Near Antonyms
straighten
3

coil

noun

Definition of coil

1 a (1) :a series of loops
(2) :spiral
b :a single loop of such a coil
2 a :a number of turns of wire wound around a core (as of iron) to create a magnetic field for an electromagnet or an induction coil
b :induction coil
3 :a series of connected pipes in rows, layers, or windings
4 :a roll of postage stamps; also :a stamp from such a roll

First Known Use of coil

1661

Other Electrical Engineering Terms

feedback, fuse, incandescent, noise, resonance

COIL Defined for English Language Learners

coil

verb

Definition of coil for English Language Learners

  • : to wind (something) into circles

COIL Defined for Kids

1

coil

play
noun \ ˈkȯil \

Definition of coil for Students

1 :a circle, a series of circles, or a spiral made by coiling
2 :a long thin piece of material that is wound into circles
2

coil

verb

Definition of coil for Students

coiled; coiling
1 :to wind into rings or a spiral
  • coil a rope
2 :to form or lie in a coil
  • The cat coiled up before the fireplace.

Medical Dictionary

coil

play
noun \ ˈkȯi(ə)l \

medical Definition of coil

:intrauterine device

Learn More about coil

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for coil Spanish Central: Translation of coil Nglish: Translation of coil for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of coil for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coil

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Examples: coil in a Sentence