to draw out and twist fibers of (wool, cotton, etc.) into thread
to make (thread, yarn, etc.) by this process
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.
to make or produce in a way suggestive of spinning: to spin a tale
to draw out (a story, etc.) to a great length; prolong; protract
to cause to whirl or rotate swiftly: to spin a top
to cause (wheels of a vehicle) to rotate freely without traction, as on ice or in sand
to extract water from (clothes) in a washer by the centrifugal force of swift rotation
☆ to apply a slant or particular emphasis to (information), as to persuade or deceive
intransitive verb
to spin thread or yarn
to form a thread, web, etc.: said of spiders, etc.
to fish with a spinning reel
to whirl or rotate swiftly
to go into or descend in a spin: said of an aircraft
to seem to be spinning from dizziness
to move along swiftly and smoothly
to rotate freely without traction: wheels spinning on ice
noun
the act of spinning or rotating something
a spinning or rotating movement
a moving along swiftly and smoothly
a ride or pleasure trip in a motor vehicle
any descent in which an airplane comes down nose first along a spiral path of large pitch and small radius
any sudden, steep downward movement
☆ a particular emphasis or slant imparted to information in order to create a desired effect, such as a favorable public image for a politician
Physics
the intrinsic angular momentum of an elementary particle or photon, produced by rotation about its own axis
To form (a web or cocoon, for example) by extruding viscous filaments.
To make or produce by or as if by drawing out and twisting.
a. To relate or create: spun tales for the children.
b. To prolong or extend: spin out a visit with an old friend.
To cause to rotate swiftly; twirl.
To shape or manufacture by a twirling or rotating process.
To provide an interpretation of (a statement or event, for example), especially in a way meant to sway public opinion: “a messenger who spins bogus research into a vile theology of hatred”(William A. Henry III).
Slang To play (a phonograph record or records), especially as a disc jockey.
verb, intransitive
To make thread or yarn by drawing out and twisting fibers.
To extrude viscous filaments, forming a web or cocoon.
To seem to be whirling, as from dizziness; reel: My head spun after doing a cartwheel.
To ride or drive rapidly.
To fish with a light rod, lure, and line and a reel with a stationary spool.
noun
The act of spinning.
A swift whirling motion.
A state of mental confusion.
Informal A short drive in a vehicle: took a spin in the new car.
The flight condition of an aircraft in a nose-down, spiraling, stalled descent.
a. A distinctive point of view, emphasis, or interpretation: “Dryden . . . was adept at putting spin on an apparently neutral recital of facts”(Robert M. Adams).
b. A distinctive character or style: an innovative chef who puts a new spin on traditional fare.
Physics
a. The intrinsic angular momentum of a subatomic particle. Also called spin angular momentum.
b. The total angular momentum of an atomic nucleus.
c. A quantum number expressing spin angular momentum.
Phrasal Verbs: spin off To derive (a company or product, for example) from something larger. spin out To rotate out of control, as a skidding car leaving a roadway.