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spiral
adjective
- circling around a central point in a flat, two-dimensional curve that constantly increases (or decreases) in size
- circling around a central axis in a conical or cylindrical, three-dimensional curve
noun
- a spiral curve occurring in a single plane
- a spiral curve occurring in a series of planes; helix
- something having a spiral form, as a wire for holding sheets in some notebooks
- a spiral path or flight: the descending spiral of a falling leaf
- a section or segment of a spiral
- a continuous, widening decrease or increase: an inflationary spiral ending in financial collapse
- ☆ Football a kick or pass in which the ball rotates on its longer axis as it moves through the air
intransitive verb spiraled or spiralled, spiraling or spiralling
to move in or form a spiral
transitive verb
to cause to move in or form a spiral
Related Forms:
- spirally adverb
See spiral in American Heritage Dictionary 4
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