swivel

[swiv-uhl]

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.

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

/ 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

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of swivel¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of swivel¹

C14: from Old English swīfan to turn; see _swift

Example Sentences

Their heads swiveled back and forth as they scanned the crowd with their glowing eyes.

Read more on Literature

I had to keep my head on a swivel.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Across from her waterbed, she has a research library, complete with a swiveling ladder, full of fashion books.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The former model was visiting her native Australia from her home in the US when she spotted groups of people swivelling wooden hoops around their waists.

Read more on BBC

Now, when the Win-Dow employees exit the kitchen to the Sunset Triangle Plaza, they immediately swivel around and lock the door tight.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• pivot 
• revolve 
• rotate 
• swing around www.thesaurus.com
• whirl