corkscrew

[ kawrk-skroo ]

noun

1. an instrument typically consisting of a metal spiral with a sharp point at one end and a transverse handle at the other, used for drawing corks from bottles.

adjective

1. resembling a corkscrew; helical; spiral.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to move in a spiral or zigzag course.

corkscrew

/ ˈkɔːkˌskruː /

noun

1. a device for drawing corks from bottles, typically consisting of a pointed metal spiral attached to a handle or screw mechanism
2. slang.
   boxing a blow that ends with a twist of the fist, esp one intended to cut the opponent
3. modifier resembling a corkscrew in shape

verb

1. to move or cause to move in a spiral or zigzag course

Word History and Origins

Origin of corkscrew¹

First recorded in 1805–15; cork + screw

Example Sentences

These huge threads stretch hundreds of millions of light-years in space and twirl like giant corkscrews.

From Science News For Students

These tendrils stretching hundreds of millions of light-years spin, twirling like giant corkscrews.

From Science News

Then, for reasons unknown to researchers, the whale switches to a loose corkscrew upward for the last 600 meters or so.

From Science News

In my corkscrew travels I often like to revisit familiar, favorite regions looking for unfamiliar wines.

From Washington Post

High-speed 3-D microscopy of human sperm swimming freely in the lab revealed that the cells corkscrew as they move, consistent with previous studies.

From Science News

I asked, watching buzzards, white-backed vultures, and tawny eagles corkscrew skyward on thermals.

From The Daily Beast

And a few infamous bugs, like the corkscrew-shaped bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, which can be downright carcinogenic.

From The Daily Beast

The path rose more steeply now with a spiral twist to the right like the final turn of a corkscrew.

From Project Gutenberg

I meant, we were both in love, he said with the ghost of a smile, if your corkscrew advances towards matrimony can be called love.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a noise at the other end of the room, as if something was crawling up the iron corkscrew stair.

From Project Gutenberg

As it swallowed us we began to spiral rapidly around as though we were tobogganing down a giant corkscrew.

From Project Gutenberg

Here is a machine the central part of which resembles a great corkscrew or spiral constantly revolving.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crest
• flood
• influx
• movement
• outbreak
• rash
• rush
• sign
• stream
• surge
• swell
• tide
• upsurge