spiral Hear it!

Jump To: synonymsSynonyms · examplesUsage Examples · linkLink/Cite
Also found in: medicalAH Medical Dictionary
spiral definition

spi·ral (spī′rəl)

adjective

  1. circling around a central point in a flat, two-dimensional curve that constantly increases (or decreases) in size
  2. circling around a central axis in a conical or cylindrical, three-dimensional curve

Etymology: ML spiralis < L spira, a coil < Gr speira: see spire

noun

  1. a spiral curve occurring in a single plane
  2. a spiral curve occurring in a series of planes; helix
  3. something having a spiral form, as a wire for holding sheets in some notebooks
  4. a spiral path or flight the descending spiral of a falling leaf
  5. a section or segment of a spiral
  6. a continuous, widening decrease or increase an inflationary spiral ending in financial collapse
  7. ☆ Football a kick or pass in which the ball rotates on its longer axis as it moves through the air

intransitive verb spiraled -·raled or spiralled -·ralled, spiraling -·ral·ing or spiralling -·ral·ling

to move in or form a spiral

transitive verb

to cause to move in or form a spiral

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

medical spiral definition - medical

spiral Synonyms

spiral

modif.

winding, circling, cochlear, coiled, helical, whorled, radial, screw-shaped, circumvoluted, curled, rolled, scrolled, tendrillar, wound.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

spiral Usage Examples

Preposition: into

  • oblivion: They were doomed to the downward spiral into oblivion as surely as the unreformed alcoholic.

Converse of object

  • bind: Handy format, spiral bound, maps, full route details, points of interest, history, photos.

Adjective modifier

  • downward: Many go into a wretched downward spiral, passed from owner to owner.

Modifies a noun

  • staircase: Access via spiral staircase inside the main church door to a small ringing chamber.

Noun used with modifier

  • wage-price: Wages may rise in response to this triggering off the possibility of a wage-price spiral.
spiral usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"spiral." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/spiral>

APA Style

spiral. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/spiral

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment