First Known Use: 1551
Dictionary
1spiral
adjective spi·ral \ˈspī-rəl\
: winding or circling around a central point and usually getting closer to or farther away from it : shaped or moving like a spiral
Full Definition of SPIRAL
1
a : winding around a center or pole and gradually receding from or approaching it <the spiral curve of a watch spring> b : helical c : spiral-bound <a spiral notebook>
2
: of or relating to the advancement to higher levels through a series of cyclical movements
— spi·ral·ly \-rə-lē\ adverb
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Origin of SPIRAL
Medieval Latin spiralis, from Latin spira coil — more at spire
2spiral
noun
: a circular curving line that goes around a central point while getting closer to or farther away from it
: a situation in which something continuously increases, decreases, or gets worse
American football : a kick or throw in which the ball spins while moving through the air
Full Definition of SPIRAL
1
a : the path of a point in a plane moving around a central point while continuously receding from or approaching it b : a three-dimensional curve (as a helix) with one or more turns about an axis
2
: a single turn or coil in a spiral object
3
: something having a spiral form as: a : spiral galaxy b (1) : a spiral flight (2) : a kick or pass in which a football rotates on its long axis while moving through the air
4
: a continuously spreading and accelerating increase or decrease <wage spirals>
See spiral defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SPIRAL
1656
3spiral
verb
: to move in a circle around a central point while getting closer to or farther away from it : to move in a spiral
: to greatly increase, decrease, or get worse in a continuous and usually fast and uncontrolled way
spiraled or spiralledspiral·ing or spiral·ling
Full Definition of SPIRAL
intransitive verb
: to go and especially to rise or fall in a spiral course <costs spiraled upward>
transitive verb
1
: to form into a spiral
2
: to cause to spiral
See spiral defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SPIRAL
1834
SPIRAL Defined for Kids
1spiral
adjective spi·ral \ˈspī-rəl\
Definition of SPIRAL for Kids
1
: winding or circling around a center and gradually getting closer to or farther away from it <a spiral seashell>
2
: circling around a center like the thread of a screw <a spiral staircase>
2spiral
noun
Definition of SPIRAL for Kids
1
: a single turn or coil in a spiral object
2
: something having a form that winds or circles around a center
3spiral
verb
spi·raled or spi·ralledspi·ral·ing or spi·ral·ling
Definition of SPIRAL for Kids
: to move in or as if in a winding or circular path <Smoke spiraled from the chimney.> <… an immense caldron … sent great clouds of savory steam spiraling slowly to the ceiling. — Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth>
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