how the wind lies
Variant of wind
wind (wīnd)
transitive verb wound or Rarewinded wind′ed, winding wind′·ing
- to turn, or make revolve to wind a crank
- to move by or as if by cranking
- to turn or coil (string, ribbon, etc.) around itself to form a ball or around something else so as to encircle it closely; twine; wreathe winding the bandage on his finger
- to wrap or cover by encircling with something turned in the manner of a coil; entwine to wind a spool with thread
- to make (one's way) in a winding or twisting course
- to cause to move in a winding or twisting course
- to introduce deviously; insinuate winding his prejudices through all his writings
- to hoist or haul by or as by winding rope on a winch: often with up
- to tighten the operating spring of (a clock, mechanical toy, etc.) by turning a stem or the like: often with up
Etymology: ME winden < OE windan, akin to ON vinda, Ger winden < IE base *wendh-, to turn, wind, twist > Arm gind, a ring
intransitive verb
- to move, go, or extend in a curving, zigzagging, or sinuous manner; meander
- to double on one's track, so as to throw off pursuers
- to take a circuitous, devious, or subtle course in behavior, argument, etc.
- to insinuate oneself
- to coil, twine, or spiral (about or around something)
- to warp or twist: said of wood
- to undergo winding a watch that winds easily
noun
- the act of winding
- a single turn of something wound
- a turn; twist; bend
wind down
- to bring or come to an end; conclude
- to become relaxed, less tense, etc.; unwind
wind off
wind up
- to wind into a ball, etc.
- to entangle or involve
- to bring or come to an end; conclude
- to make very tense, excited, etc.
- ☆ Baseball to use a windup () before pitching the ball
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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