spiral
Geometry. a plane curve generated by a point moving around a fixed point while constantly receding from or approaching it.
a helix.
a single circle or ring of a spiral or helical curve or object.
a spiral or helical object, formation, or form.
Aeronautics. a maneuver in which an airplane descends in a helix of small pitch and large radius, with the angle of attack within that of the normal flight range.
Football. a type of kick or pass in which the ball turns on its longer axis as it flies through the air.
Economics. a continuous increase in costs, wages, prices, etc. (inflationary spiral ), or a decrease in costs, wages, prices, etc. (deflationary spiral ).
running continuously around a fixed point or center while constantly receding from or approaching it; coiling in a single plane: a spiral curve.
coiling around a fixed line or axis in a constantly changing series of planes; helical.
of or of the nature of a spire or coil.
bound with a spiral binding; spiral-bound: a spiral notebook.
to take a spiral form or course.
to advance or increase steadily; rise: Costs have been spiraling all year.
Aeronautics. to fly an airplane through a spiral course.
to cause to take a spiral form or course.
Origin of spiral
1Other words from spiral
- spi·ral·i·ty [spahy-ral-i-tee], /spaɪˈræl ɪ ti/, noun
- spi·ral·ly, adverb
- mul·ti·spi·ral, adjective
- non·spi·ral, adjective, noun
- sub·spi·ral, adjective
- sub·spi·ral·ly, adverb
- un·spi·ral, adjective
- un·spi·ral·ly, adverb
- un·spi·raled, adjective
- un·spi·ralled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for spiral
/ (ˈspaɪərəl) /
geometry one of several plane curves formed by a point winding about a fixed point at an ever-increasing distance from it. Polar equation of Archimedes spiral: r = a θ; of logarithmic spiral: log r = a θ; of hyperbolic spiral: r θ = a, (where a is a constant)
another name for helix (def. 1)
something that pursues a winding, usually upward, course or that displays a twisting form or shape
a flight manoeuvre in which an aircraft descends describing a helix of comparatively large radius with the angle of attack within the normal flight range: Compare spin (def. 16)
economics a continuous upward or downward movement in economic activity or prices, caused by interaction between prices, wages, demand, and production
having the shape of a spiral
to assume or cause to assume a spiral course or shape
(intr) to increase or decrease with steady acceleration: wages and prices continue to spiral
Origin of spiral
1Derived forms of spiral
- spirally, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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