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)

, spi·raled, spi·ral·ing or (especially British) spi·ralled, spi·ral·ling.

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)

, spi·raled, spi·ral·ing or (especially British) spi·ralled, spi·ral·ling.

1. to cause to take a spiral form or course.

spiral

/ ˈspaɪərəl /

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

adjective

1. having the shape of a spiral

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

Derived Forms

• ˈspirally, adverb

Other Words From

• spi·ral·i·ty [spahy-, ral, -i-tee], noun
• spiral·ly adverb
• multi·spiral adjective
• non·spiral adjective noun
• sub·spiral adjective
• sub·spiral·ly adverb
• un·spiral adjective
• un·spiral·ly adverb
• un·spiraled adjective
• un·spiralled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiral¹

1545–55; < Medieval Latin spīrālis, equivalent to Latin spīr ( a ) coil (< Greek speîra anything coiled, wreathed, or twisted; spire ² ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiral¹

C16: via French from Medieval Latin spīrālis, from Latin spīra a coil; see spire ²

Example Sentences

The prosecution told the trial that Thomas was in a "downward spiral" but in control of his actions at the time of the killing.

From BBC

The stand-off follows a government decision to crack down on an industry that has spiralled out of control, with mafia-like gangs running it.

From BBC

Scientists have struggled to understand how stars spiraling together during this critical period affects the stars' subsequent evolution.

From Science Daily

Global efforts to directly fund local organizations are not moving quickly enough to prevent a public health disaster from continuing to spiral out of control.

From Salon

These developments, coming at a time when tensions within the Korean peninsula have spiralled to their highest in years, are worrying Seoul.

From BBC

Related Words

• circling
• coiled