English adjective: spiral | |||
1. | spiral in the shape of a coil | ||
Synonyms | coiling, helical, spiraling, turbinate, volute, voluted, whorled | ||
Similar | coiled | ||
Antonyms | uncoiled, straight | ||
English noun: spiral | |||
1. | spiral (shape) a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the center | ||
Broader (hypernym) | curve, curved shape | ||
2. | spiral (shape) a curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant angle | ||
Synonyms | helix | ||
Broader (hypernym) | curve, curved shape | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | double helix | ||
3. | spiral (process) a continuously accelerating change in the economy | ||
Broader (hypernym) | economic process | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | deflationary spiral, inflationary spiral | ||
4. | spiral (artifact) ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around a center with an increasing distance from the center | ||
Synonyms | volute | ||
Broader (hypernym) | decoration, ornament, ornamentation | ||
5. | spiral (artifact) a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops | ||
Samples | A coil of rope. | ||
Synonyms | coil, helix, volute, whorl | ||
Broader (hypernym) | construction, structure | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | hank | ||
6. | spiral (act) flying downward in a helical path with a large radius | ||
Broader (hypernym) | rotary motion, rotation | ||
English verb: spiral | |||
1. | spiral (motion) to wind or move in a spiral course | ||
Samples | 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. | ||
Synonyms | coil, gyrate | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s. Something is ----ing PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | turn | ||
2. | spiral (stative) form a spiral | ||
Samples | The path spirals up the mountain. | ||
Examples | The wires spiral around the stick | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s. Something is ----ing PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | curve, twist, wind | ||
3. | spiral (motion) move in a spiral or zigzag course | ||
Synonyms | corkscrew | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s. Somebody ----s | ||
Broader (hypernym) | turn | ||