coil
noun
a connected series of spirals or rings that rope, wire, or the like has been formed into.
were coiling
-
past progressiveof coil.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A few had taken quarters and were coiling in their bunks When we shore the six-tooth wethers from the plain.
From The Old Bush Songs by A. B. (Andrew Barton) Paterson
At first I thought he had passed around to the other side of the mizzenmast, for we were coiling down gear that had been disarranged during the job, and I was not worried.
From The Blood Ship by Norman Springer
Her lower extremities were like those of a dragon, and snakes were coiling round her neck and shoulders.
From Greek and Roman Ghost Stories by Lacy Collison-Morley
The molten lava twisted and writhed as though a thousand serpents were coiling and uncoiling.
From Doubloons—and the Girl by John Maxwell Forbes
He looked toward Mat again, but she and Little Blue Flower were coiling their long hair in fantastic fashion about their heads, and laughing like school-girls together.
From Vanguards of the Plains by Margaret Hill McCarter
