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Spiral - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Spiral : adj : in the shape of a coil [syn: coiling, helical, spiraling,
volute, voluted, whorled, turbinate]
(noun)
1: a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center
but at ever-greater distances from it
2: a curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and
cuts the element at a constant angle [syn: helix]
3: ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around
a center with an increasing distance from the center [syn:
volute]
4: a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous
series of loops; "a coil of rope" [syn: coil, volute,
whorl, helix]
5: flying downward in a helical path with a large radius
(verb)
1: to wind or move in a spiral course; "the muscles and nerves
of his fine drawn body were coiling for action"; "black
smoke coiling up into the sky"; "the young people
gyrated on the dance floor" [syn: gyrate, coil]
2: form a spiral; "The path spirals up the mountain"
3: move in a spiral or zigzag course [syn: corkscrew]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Spiral : \Spi"ral\, n. [Cf. F. spirale. See Spiral, a.]
1. (Geom.) A plane curve, not re["e]ntrant, described by a
point, called the generatrix, moving along a straight line
according to a mathematical law, while the line is
revolving about a fixed point called the pole. Cf.
Helix.
2. Anything which has a spiral form, as a spiral shell.
Equiangular spiral,a plane curve which cuts all its
generatrices at the same angle. Same as Logarithmic
spiral, under Logarithmic.
Spiral of Archimedes, a spiral the law of which is that the
generatrix moves uniformly along the revolving line, which
also moves uniformly.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Spiral : \Spi"ral\, a. [Cf. F. spiral. See Spire a winding
line.]
1. Winding or circling round a center or pole and gradually
receding from it; as, the spiral curve of a watch spring.
2. Winding round a cylinder or imaginary axis, and at the
same time rising or advancing forward; winding like the
thread of a screw; helical.
3. (Geom.) Of or pertaining to a spiral; like a spiral.
Spiral gear, or Spiral wheel (Mach.), a gear resembling
in general a spur gear, but having its teeth cut at an
angle with its axis, or so that they form small portions
of screws or spirals.
Spiral gearing, a kind of gearing sometimes used in light
machinery, in which spiral gears, instead of bevel gears,
are used to transmit motion between shafts that are not
parallel.
Spiral operculum, an operculum whih has spiral lines of
growth.
Spiral shell, any shell in which the whorls form a spiral
or helix.
Spiral spring. See the Note under Spring, n., 4.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Example Usage of Spiral |
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AgenzyCom: $7.99 - Curley Cue Twisted Spiral Sterling Silver Hook Earrings http://agenzy.com/3w7r |
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fragileck: The bells celestial rip the lap, the arm, the lip. Forlorn and Spiral dwelling, |
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Selysea: RT @MattOrtega: Roommate has "Jersey Shore" on -- television programming continues to Spiral down the toilet.>Agree! A friend had it on too! |
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