spiral Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the center
  2. noun a curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant angle
    helix.
  3. noun a continuously accelerating change in the economy
  4. noun ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around a center with an increasing distance from the center
    volute.
  5. noun a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops
    coil; volute; helix; whorl.
    • a coil of rope
  6. noun flying downward in a helical path with a large radius
  7. verb to wind or move in a spiral course
    coil; gyrate.
    • 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
  8. verb form a spiral
    • The path spirals up the mountain
  9. verb move in a spiral or zigzag course
    corkscrew.
  10. adjective satellite in the shape of a coil
    helical; spiraling; turbinate; voluted; whorled; volute; coiling.

WordNet

Spi"ral adjective
Etymology
Cf. F. spiral. See Spire a winding line.
Definitions
  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.
Spi"ral noun
Etymology
Cf. F. spirale. See Spiral, a.
Definitions
  1. (Geom.) A plane curve, not reëntrant, 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.

Webster 1913