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spin Definition

spin (spin)

transitive verb spun, spin′·ning

    1. to draw out and twist fibers of (wool, cotton, etc.) into thread
    2. to make (thread, yarn, etc.) by this process
  2. to make (a web, cocoon, etc.) from a filament of a viscous fluid that is extruded from the body and hardens on exposure to the air: said of spiders, silkworms, etc.
  3. to make or produce in a way suggestive of spinning to spin a tale
  4. to draw out (a story, etc.) to a great length; prolong; protract
  5. to cause to whirl or rotate swiftly to spin a top
  6. to cause (wheels of a vehicle) to rotate freely without traction, as on ice or in sand
  7. to extract water from (clothes) in a washer by the centrifugal force of swift rotation
  8. ☆ to apply a slant or particular emphasis to (information), as to persuade or deceive

Etymology: ME spinnen < OE spinnan, akin to Ger spinnen < IE base *(s)pen(d)-, to pull, draw, spin > Lith spéndžiu, to lay a snare & (prob.) L pendere, to hang

intransitive verb

  1. to spin thread or yarn
  2. to form a thread, web, etc.: said of spiders, etc.
  3. to fish with a spinning reel
  4. to whirl or rotate swiftly
  5. to go into or descend in a spin: said of an aircraft
  6. to seem to be spinning from dizziness
  7. to move along swiftly and smoothly
  8. to rotate freely without traction wheels spinning on ice

noun

  1. the act of spinning or rotating something
  2. a spinning or rotating movement
  3. a moving along swiftly and smoothly
  4. a ride or pleasure trip in a motor vehicle
  5. any descent in which an airplane comes down nose first along a spiral path of large pitch and small radius
  6. any sudden, steep downward movement
  7. ☆

    Etymology: from the fact that the spin imparted to a ball in certain games affects its direction, bounce, etc.

    a particular emphasis or slant imparted to information in order to create a desired effect, such as a favorable public image for a politician
  8. Physics
    1. the intrinsic angular momentum of an elementary particle or photon, produced by rotation about its own axis
    2. the total angular momentum of a nuclide

spin Idioms

spin off

  1. to produce as an outgrowth or secondary benefit, development, etc.
  2. to get rid of

spin out

☆

Informal to slide with a spinning or rotating movement: said of a vehicle that is out of control

spin Synonyms

spin

n.

circuit, rotation, gyration; see revolution 1, turn 1.

spin Synonyms

spin

v.

  1. To make by spinning

    twist, mold, produce, shape, twist into shape; see also form 1, twist.

  2. To whirl

    revolve, twirl, rotate; see turn 1, whirl.

spin Usage Examples

Object

  • yarn: Do you think that spinning yarns to patients about what is going on in their bodies is putting them first?
  • cocoon: Seasonal adaptation include spinning a cocoon, lying dormant or laying eggs for the winter period.
  • wool: Several spinsters ( women who spun wool ) would be needed to keep the weaving loom busy.
  • wheel: Wheel Of Fortune Get ready to spin that wheel!
  • flax: Annie Garnett learned to spin flax from another group of textile producers in the Lakes - the Langdale Linen Industry.
  • round: Twist to release from a grab spinning round 270 degrees anti-clockwise.

Converse of object

  • put: There is no putting a spin on the story.

Preposition: at

  • hairpin: David's namesake John spun at the hairpin before retiring on the eighth lap.
  • Druid: He pushed hard through Paddock, but spun at Druids, losing a lot of ground.

Preposition: into

  • yarn: Fiber can be spun into a yarn with the simplest of tools.

Modifies a noun

  • bowler: The 22 year old is a slow left arm spin bowler who it is hoped will add depth to next season's squad.
  • doctor: I will stop party political spin doctors issuing orders to civil servants.
  • axis: Each spin period is about 10 sec and within one file typically the spin axis changes by a few degrees.
  • bowling: Sam is a quality player who will add steel to our batting whist being very useful with his leg spin bowling.
  • dryer: Finally the club now possesses a spin dryer which extracts most of the water from wet kit.
  • drier: So onwards the work proceeded - moving washing machines, spin driers, dishwashers, freezers and fridges.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • around: Some of these giant worlds spin around their stars at great speed, often in highly elliptical orbits.
  • off: Despite spinning off on the first lap, Ray Armes rejoined the race to finish 17th.

Preposition: of

  • electron: Spintronics Electronics that exploits the spin of an electron in some way, rather than just its charge.

Noun used with modifier

  • electron: However, electron spin is very familiar to us in another way -- it's at the heart of magnetism.
spin Quotes

My wife had an uncle who could never walk down the nave of his abbey without wondering whether it would take spin.

—Douglas-Home, Baron