reel
1[ reel ]
/ ril /
noun
verb (used with object)
Verb Phrases
reel off, to say, write, or produce quickly and easily: The old sailor reeled off one story after another.
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Idioms for reel
- without pause; continuously.
- without delay or hesitation; immediately.
off the reel,
Origin of reel
1First recorded before 1050; Middle English noun rel(e), Old English hrēol; rēol, cognate with Old Norse hræll “weaver's rod”; verb derivative of the noun
OTHER WORDS FROM reel
reel·a·ble, adjectiveWords nearby reel
reefing, reefing jacket, reef knot, reef point, reek, reel, re-elect, re-election, reeled silk, reeler, reel-fed
Definition for reel (2 of 3)
reel2
[ reel ]
/ ril /
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
to cause to reel.
noun
an act of reeling; a reeling or staggering movement.
Origin of reel
2synonym study for reel
3. See stagger.
Definition for reel (3 of 3)
Origin of reel
3First recorded in 1575–85; special use of reel2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for reel
British Dictionary definitions for reel (1 of 3)
reel1
/ (riːl, rɪəl) /
noun
any of various cylindrical objects or frames that turn on an axis and onto which film, magnetic tape, paper tape, wire, thread, etc, may be woundUS equivalent: spool
angling a device for winding, casting, etc, consisting of a revolving spool with a handle, attached to a fishing rod
a roll of celluloid exhibiting a sequence of photographs to be projected
verb (tr)
to wind (cotton, thread, etc) onto a reel
(foll by in, out etc) to wind or draw with a reelto reel in a fish
Derived forms of reel
reelable, adjectivereeler, nounWord Origin for reel
Old English hrēol; related to Old Norse hrǣll weaver's rod, Greek krekein to weave
British Dictionary definitions for reel (2 of 3)
reel2
/ (riːl, rɪəl) /
verb (mainly intr)
to sway, esp under the shock of a blow or through dizziness or drunkenness
to whirl about or have the feeling of whirling abouthis brain reeled
noun
a staggering or swaying motion or sensation
Word Origin for reel
C14 relen, probably from reel 1
British Dictionary definitions for reel (3 of 3)
reel3
/ (riːl, rɪəl) /
noun
any of various lively Scottish dances, such as the eightsome reel and foursome reel for a fixed number of couples who combine in square and circular formations
a piece of music having eight quavers to the bar composed for or in the rhythm of this dance
Word Origin for reel
C18: from reel ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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