coil

¹

[ koil ]

noun

1. a connected series of spirals or rings that rope, wire, or the like has been formed into:

   A coil of string was wound around the pole.

2. one of a connected series of spirals or rings that rope, wire, or the like has been formed into:

   Grab the first coil of the yarn and slip it over the other two.

3. an arrangement of pipes wound up in a spiral or series, as in a radiator.
4. a continuous pipe having inlet and outlet, or flow and return ends.
5. Medicine/Medical. an intrauterine device.
6. Electricity.
   1. a conductor, such as a copper wire, wound up in a spiral or similar form.
   2. a device made up of this type of conductor.
   3. ignition coil ( def ).
7. Philately.
   1. a stamp issued in a roll, usually of 500 stamps, and usually perforated vertically or horizontally only.
   2. a roll of such stamps.

verb (used with object)

1. to wind into continuous, regularly spaced rings one above the other:

   The first step of this craft is to coil a wire around a pencil.

2. to wind on a flat surface into a connected series of rings, one atop the other:

   He coiled the rope on the deck.

3. to gather (rope, wire, etc.) into loops:

   She coiled the garden hose and hung it on the hook.

verb (used without object)

1. to form rings, spirals, etc.; gather or retract in a circular way:

   The snake coiled, ready to strike.

2. to move in or follow a winding course:

   The river coiled through the valley.

coil

²

[ koil ]

noun

, Archaic.

1. a noisy disturbance; commotion; tumult.
2. trouble; bustle; ado.

coil

¹

/ kɔɪl /

noun

1. the troubles and activities of the world (in the Shakespearean phrase this mortal coil )

coil

²

/ kɔɪl /

verb

1. to wind or gather (ropes, hair, etc) into loops or (of rope, hair, etc) to be formed in such loops
2. intr to move in a winding course

noun

1. something wound in a connected series of loops
2. a single loop of such a series
3. an arrangement of pipes in a spiral or loop, as in a condenser
4. an electrical conductor wound into the form of a spiral, sometimes with a soft iron core, to provide inductance or a magnetic field See also induction coil
5. an intrauterine contraceptive device in the shape of a coil
6. the transformer in a petrol engine that supplies the high voltage to the sparking plugs

Derived Forms

• ˈcoiler, noun

Other Words From

• coil·a·ble adjective
• coil·a·bil·i·ty [koil-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee] noun
• un·coiled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coil¹

First recorded in 1605–15; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Middle French, Old French coillir, cuillir “to take” (modern French cueillir “to gather, pick”), from Latin colligere “to gather together”; collect, cull

Origin of coil²

First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of coil¹

C16: of unknown origin

Origin of coil²

C16: from Old French coillir to collect together; see cull

Example Sentences

Halfway through, he ran to the piano and tapped out a “somber and slow” waltz idea, and on top of it a dark, coiling melody — with “something off but also maybe something romantic in it.”

From Los Angeles Times

Anyone who bought it would own shares in a cartoon character that resembled a metal coil.

From BBC

But the unexpected appearance of his father at the scene is, to judge by the coiled anger on Holland’s face, as if someone had defaced one of his works with an alien hue.

From Los Angeles Times

Barrett’s voice was tightly coiled, as though he was choking back the indignation roiling inside him.

From Los Angeles Times

Finally, she emerged to a battlefield vision: coils of smoke, blood-streaked stairs and blackened walls gouged with scores of bullets.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• braid
• tendril