coil
1a connected series of spirals or rings that rope, wire, or the like has been formed into: A coil of string was wound around the pole.
one of a connected series of spirals or rings that rope, wire, or the like has been formed into: Grab the first coil of the yarn and slip it over the other two.
an arrangement of pipes wound up in a spiral or series, as in a radiator.
a continuous pipe having inlet and outlet, or flow and return ends.
Medicine/Medical. an intrauterine device.
Electricity.
a conductor, such as a copper wire, wound up in a spiral or similar form.
a device made up of this type of conductor.
Philately.
a stamp issued in a roll, usually of 500 stamps, and usually perforated vertically or horizontally only.
a roll of such stamps.
to wind into continuous, regularly spaced rings one above the other: The first step of this craft is to coil a wire around a pencil.
to wind on a flat surface into a connected series of rings, one atop the other: He coiled the rope on the deck.
to gather (rope, wire, etc.) into loops: She coiled the garden hose and hung it on the hook.
to form rings, spirals, etc.; gather or retract in a circular way: The snake coiled, ready to strike.
to move in or follow a winding course: The river coiled through the valley.
Origin of coil
1Other words from coil
- coil·a·ble, adjective
- coil·a·bil·i·ty [koil-uh-bil-i-tee] /ˌkɔɪl əˈbɪl ɪ ti/ noun
- un·coiled, adjective
Other definitions for coil (2 of 2)
a noisy disturbance; commotion; tumult.
trouble; bustle; ado.
Origin of coil
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for coil (1 of 2)
/ (kɔɪl) /
to wind or gather (ropes, hair, etc) into loops or (of rope, hair, etc) to be formed in such loops
(intr) to move in a winding course
something wound in a connected series of loops
a single loop of such a series
an arrangement of pipes in a spiral or loop, as in a condenser
an electrical conductor wound into the form of a spiral, sometimes with a soft iron core, to provide inductance or a magnetic field: See also induction coil
an intrauterine contraceptive device in the shape of a coil
the transformer in a petrol engine that supplies the high voltage to the sparking plugs
Origin of coil
1Derived forms of coil
- coiler, noun
British Dictionary definitions for coil (2 of 2)
/ (kɔɪl) /
the troubles and activities of the world (in the Shakespearean phrase this mortal coil)
Origin of coil
2Collins 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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