spiral

[spahy-ruhl]

noun

1. Geometry.,  a plane curve generated by a point moving around a fixed point while constantly receding from or approaching it.

2. a helix.

3. a single circle or ring of a spiral or helical curve or object.

4. a spiral or helical object, formation, or form.

5. 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.

6. Football.,  a type of kick or pass in which the ball turns on its longer axis as it flies through the air.

7. Economics.,  a continuous increase in costs, wages, prices, etc. inflationary spiral, or a decrease in costs, wages, prices, etc. deflationary spiral.

adjective

1. running continuously around a fixed point or center while constantly receding from or approaching it; coiling in a single plane.

   a spiral curve.

2. coiling around a fixed line or axis in a constantly changing series of planes; helical.

3. of or of the nature of a spire or coil.

4. bound with a spiral binding; spiral-bound.

   a spiral notebook.

verb (used without object)

spiraled, spiraling , spiralled, spiralling .

1. to take a spiral form or course.

2. to advance or increase steadily; rise.

   Costs have been spiraling all year.

3. Aeronautics.,  to fly an airplane through a spiral course.

verb (used with object)

spiraled, spiraling , spiralled, spiralling .

1. to cause to take a spiral form or course.

spiral

/ ˈspaɪərəl /

noun

1. 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)

2. another name for helix

3. something that pursues a winding, usually upward, course or that displays a twisting form or shape

4. 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

5. economics a continuous upward or downward movement in economic activity or prices, caused by interaction between prices, wages, demand, and production

adjective

1. having the shape of a spiral

verb

1. to assume or cause to assume a spiral course or shape

2. (intr) to increase or decrease with steady acceleration

   wages and prices continue to spiral

Other Word Forms

• spirally adverb
• spirality noun
• multispiral adjective
• nonspiral adjective
• subspiral adjective
• subspirally adverb
• unspiral adjective
• unspirally adverb
• unspiraled adjective
• unspiralled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiral¹

1545–55; < Medieval Latin spīrālis, equivalent to Latin spīr ( a ) coil (< Greek speîra anything coiled, wreathed, or twisted; spire ² ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiral¹

C16: via French from Medieval Latin spīrālis, from Latin spīra a coil; see _spire ²

Example Sentences

“Private property owners put entire communities at risk when they let vacant or abandoned properties spiral out of control, and the city bureaucracy makes things worse by moving far too slowly.”

From Los Angeles Times

There is also a sign of an even older legacy at the bottom of one long spiralling staircase, where a Roman mosaic that was discovered in the 1930s remains on display.

From BBC

He warned that the nation’s political climate was spiraling.

From Los Angeles Times

The first thing you see in their men’s store is the metal, spiral racks tastefully stocked with hoodies from brands like Kapital and Jacquemus, and bold graphic tees from Martine Rose or Acne Studios.

From Los Angeles Times

Twenty-nine-year-old Lucy, told me the rising price of friendship feels like it's spiralling out of control.

From BBC

Related Words

• circling www.thesaurus.com
• coiled www.thesaurus.com