spiral
Geometry. a plane curve generated by a point moving around a fixed point while constantly receding from or approaching it.
a helix.
a single circle or ring of a spiral or helical curve or object.
a spiral or helical object, formation, or form.
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.
Football. a type of kick or pass in which the ball turns on its longer axis as it flies through the air.
Economics. a continuous increase in costs, wages, prices, etc. (inflationary spiral ), or a decrease in costs, wages, prices, etc. (deflationary spiral ).
running continuously around a fixed point or center while constantly receding from or approaching it; coiling in a single plane: a spiral curve.
coiling around a fixed line or axis in a constantly changing series of planes; helical.
of or of the nature of a spire or coil.
bound with a spiral binding; spiral-bound: a spiral notebook.
to take a spiral form or course.
to advance or increase steadily; rise: Costs have been spiraling all year.
Aeronautics. to fly an airplane through a spiral course.
to cause to take a spiral form or course.
Origin of spiral
1Other words from spiral
- spi·ral·i·ty [spahy-ral-i-tee], /spaɪˈræl ɪ ti/, noun
- spi·ral·ly, adverb
- mul·ti·spi·ral, adjective
- non·spi·ral, adjective, noun
- sub·spi·ral, adjective
- sub·spi·ral·ly, adverb
- un·spi·ral, adjective
- un·spi·ral·ly, adverb
- un·spi·raled, adjective
- un·spi·ralled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use spiral in a sentence
It was clear to us that the war in Afghanistan had spiralled out of control.
Suddenly we spiralled violently down through the bottom of the cloud into sight of the earth again.
Darl Thomas ran headlong up the staircase that spiralled through the dim cavern.
The Great Dome on Mercury | Arthur Leo ZagatWith wings extended, the Monitor spiralled down toward the crest of the mountain.
The Onslaught from Rigel | Fletcher PrattA slim, dreamy-eyed young man gripped the sides of the table frenziedly as the numbers spiralled upward.
Starman's Quest | Robert Silverberg
We spiralled down around it, looking for a landing place and trying to match our speed with its rotational velocity.
Out Around Rigel | Robert H. Wilson
British Dictionary definitions for spiral
/ (ˈspaɪərəl) /
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)
another name for helix (def. 1)
something that pursues a winding, usually upward, course or that displays a twisting form or shape
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 (def. 16)
economics a continuous upward or downward movement in economic activity or prices, caused by interaction between prices, wages, demand, and production
having the shape of a spiral
to assume or cause to assume a spiral course or shape
(intr) to increase or decrease with steady acceleration: wages and prices continue to spiral
Origin of spiral
1Derived forms of spiral
- spirally, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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