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View synonyms for

spiral

[ spahy-ruhl ]

noun

  1. Geometry. a plane curve generated by a point moving around a fixed point while constantly receding from or approaching it.
  2. a helix.
  3. a single circle or ring of a spiral or helical curve or object.
  4. a spiral or helical object, formation, or form.
  5. 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.
  6. Football. a type of kick or pass in which the ball turns on its longer axis as it flies through the air.
  7. Economics. a continuous increase in costs, wages, prices, etc. inflationary spiral, or a decrease in costs, wages, prices, etc. deflationary spiral.


adjective

  1. running continuously around a fixed point or center while constantly receding from or approaching it; coiling in a single plane:

    a spiral curve.

  2. coiling around a fixed line or axis in a constantly changing series of planes; helical.
  3. of or of the nature of a spire or coil.
  4. bound with a spiral binding; spiral-bound:

    a spiral notebook.

verb (used without object)

spiraled, spiraling or (especially British) spiralled, spiralling.
  1. to take a spiral form or course.
  2. to advance or increase steadily; rise:

    Costs have been spiraling all year.

  3. Aeronautics. to fly an airplane through a spiral course.

verb (used with object)

spiraled, spiraling or (especially British) spiralled, spiralling.
  1. to cause to take a spiral form or course.

spiral

/ ˈ貹ɪəə /

noun

  1. 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)
  2. another name for helix
  3. something that pursues a winding, usually upward, course or that displays a twisting form or shape
  4. 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
  5. economics a continuous upward or downward movement in economic activity or prices, caused by interaction between prices, wages, demand, and production
“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

adjective

  1. having the shape of a spiral
“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

verb

  1. to assume or cause to assume a spiral course or shape
  2. intr to increase or decrease with steady acceleration

    wages and prices continue to spiral

“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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Derived Forms

  • ˈ辱, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • 辱···ٲ [spahy-, ral, -i-tee], noun
  • 辱۲· adverb
  • ܱt·辱۲ adjective
  • ԴDz·辱۲ adjective noun
  • ܲ·辱۲ adjective
  • sub·辱۲· adverb
  • ܲ·辱۲ adjective
  • un·辱۲· adverb
  • ܲ·辱۲ed adjective
  • ܲ·辱۲led adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of spiral1

1545–55; < Medieval Latin ī, equivalent to Latin ī ( a ) coil (< Greek î anything coiled, wreathed, or twisted; spire 2 ) + - -al 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of spiral1

C16: via French from Medieval Latin ī, from Latin īa a coil; see spire ²
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

As tensions spiral, India has alleged firing by Pakistan along the Line of Control, the de facto border between the two countries, for four nights in a row.

From

For those who bury their head in the sand or are in a shame spiral, sometimes even acknowledging where you are can be the biggest step.

From

In a series of viral videos Dr Celiwe Ndaba opened up about how she said she had been financially exploited by her husband, how it had spiralled and led to their separation.

From

The spiraling race hysteria had led to serious harassment of both the families of Metcalf and Anthony.

From

Second, airstrikes or even conventional cruise missile strikes, like in 2019, are also on the table - each carrying the risk of a retaliatory spiral, as seen in the air skirmishes that followed then.

From

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spiraeaspiral arm