swivel

American  

[swiv-uhl] / ˈswɪv əl /

noun

1. a fastening device that allows the thing fastened to turn around freely upon it, especially to turn in a full circle.

2. such a device consisting of two parts, each of which turns around independently, as a compound link of a chain, one part of which turns freely in the other by means of a headed pin or the like.

3. a pivoted support allowing a gun to turn around in a horizontal plane.

4. a swivel gun.

5. a device attached to a loom and used as a shuttle to weave extra threads in the production of small figures, especially dots.

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verb (used with object)

swiveled, swiveling, swivelled, swivelling

1. to turn or pivot on or as if on a swivel.

   He swiveled his chair around.

2. to fasten by a swivel; furnish with a swivel.

verb (used without object)

swiveled, swiveling, swivelled, swivelling

1. to turn on or if as on a swivel.

swivel British  

/ ˈswɪvəl /

noun

1. a coupling device which allows an attached object to turn freely

2. such a device made of two parts which turn independently, such as a compound link of a chain

3. 1. a pivot on which is mounted a gun that may be swung from side to side in a horizontal plane

   2. Also called: swivel gun.  the gun itself

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verb

1. to turn or swing on or as if on a pivot

2. (tr) to provide with, secure by, or support with a swivel

Other Word Forms

• swivel-like adjective
• swivellike adjective
• unswivel verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of swivel

1275–1325; Middle English (noun), equivalent to swiv- (weak stem of Old English swīfan to revolve; cognate with Old Norse svīfa to turn) + -el instrumental suffix

Example Sentences

He even grinned, causing Trey’s head to swivel between us in confusion.

From Literature

His accusation crashes like a pile of rocks at my feet and everybody’s gaze swivels to land on me.

From Literature

Clare began to pace, his cloak billowing up behind him each time he swiveled to retrace his steps.

From Literature

The shop quieted, chairs swiveled, and suddenly everyone was looking at me, at which point I said the one word I’ve never written in any of the last dozen or so Dodger preview columns.

From Los Angeles Times

My pod was roomy, with solid seat padding and a large TV screen that swiveled.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• pivot
• revolve
• rotate
• swing around
• whirl