spiral

/ˈspaɪrəl/

/ˈspaɪrəl/

Other forms: spirals; spiraling; spiraled; spiralling; spiralled

A spiral is a coil or curl, like the shape of a piece of hair wound around your finger, a Slinky toy, or a corkscrew.

A curve forming a series of circles that become gradually larger or smaller is one kind of spiral. You can also use the word as a verb when something moves in a spiral shape: "Then the wind died and I watched my kite spiral down to the ground." The origin of spiral is the Medieval Latin spiralis, which means "winding or coiling," from a Greek root: speira, "coil, twist, or wreath."

Definitions of spiral

1. noun

   a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops
   synonyms: coil, helix, volute, whorl

   types:

   hank

   a coil of rope or wool or yarn

   skein

   coils of worsted yarn

   type of:

   construction, structure

   a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
2. noun

   a curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant angle
   synonyms: helix

   types:

   double helix

   the dual-stranded molecular structure of nucleic acids such as DNA

   type of:

   curve, curved shape

   the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
3. noun

   flying downward in a helical path with a large radius
   type of:

   rotary motion, rotation

   the act of rotating as if on an axis
4. noun

   a continuously accelerating change in the economy
   types:

   inflationary spiral

   an episode of inflation in which prices and wages increase at an increasing rate and currency rapidly loses value

   deflationary spiral

   an episode of deflation in which prices and wages decrease at an increasing rate and currency gains in value

   type of:

   economic process

   any process affecting the production and development and management of material wealth
5. noun

   a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the center
   type of:

   curve, curved shape

   the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
6. noun

   ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around a center with an increasing distance from the center
   synonyms: volute

   type of:

   decoration, ornament, ornamentation

   something used to beautify
7. adjective

   in the shape of a coil
   synonyms: coiling, helical, spiraling, turbinate, volute, voluted, whorled

   coiled

   curled or wound (especially in concentric rings or spirals)
8. verb

   move in a spiral or zigzag course
   synonyms: corkscrew

   type of:

   turn

   change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
9. verb

   wind or move in a spiral course
   synonyms: coil, gyrate

   type of:

   turn

   change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
10. verb

    form a spiral
    “The path spirals up the mountain”

    type of:

    curve, twist, wind

    extend in curves and turns