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

In the center of the room, real-life visitors arrayed on 26 swivel chairs turn their heads back and forth to take in the supersized Last Supper occurring all around them.

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“Every second, every volley, your head is swiveling from side to side,” she said.

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His head launches into a slow but steady swivel.

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They kept swiveling their eyes this way and that to discover who in Saint Petersburg society might notice them with their new royal friend and start some fantastic rumor as a result.

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They swiveled around corners, marched up flights of stairs and down again, and passed through doors that creaked as if they had not been opened in years.

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Related Words

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