spool

[ spool ]

noun

1. any cylindrical piece or device on which something is wound.
2. a small cylindrical piece of wood or other material on which yarn is wound in spinning, for use in weaving; a bobbin.
3. a small cylinder of wood or other material on which thread, wire, or tape is wound, typically expanded or with a rim at each end and having a hole lengthwise through the center.
4. the material or quantity of material wound on such a device.
5. Angling. the cylindrical drum in a reel that bears the line.

verb (used with object)

1. to wind on a spool.
2. to unwind from a spool (usually followed by off or out ).
3. Computers. to operate (an input/output device) by using buffers in main and secondary storage.

verb (used without object)

1. to wind.
2. to unwind.

spool

/ spuːl /

noun

1. a device around which magnetic tape, film, cotton, etc, can be automatically wound, with plates at top and bottom to prevent it from slipping off
2. anything round which other materials, esp thread, are wound

verb

1. sometimes foll by up to wind or be wound onto a spool or reel

spool

/ spo̅o̅l /

1. To store data that is sent to a device, such as a printer, in a buffer that the device reads. This procedure allows the program that sent the data to the device to resume its normal operation without waiting for the device to process the data.

Other Words From

• spooler noun
• spoollike adjective
• un·spool verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of spool¹

1275–1325; Middle English spole < Middle Dutch spoele or Middle Low German spōle; cognate with German Spule

Word History and Origins

Origin of spool¹

C14: of Germanic origin; compare Old High German spuolo, Middle Dutch spoele

Example Sentences

The cutting cable is spun around an automatic feed spool, making it easy to adjust on the go.

From Popular-Science

This means that when you’re listening to your favorite song, the tape is rolling out from the spool on the left, and reeled in by the spool on the right.

From Popular-Science

If you want to go even fancier, you can save nearly $7 on a spool of glow-in-the-dark filament.

From Popular-Science

Your other option when it comes to 3D printing involves turning spools of plastic thread into layers that build your object.

From Popular-Science

Nobody looks at the humble reels or spools on which the kite strings are wound, even though the aerial performances depend on how skillfully those reels are handled.

From Quanta Magazine

There he lies in fetal position, reeling from thoughts of the atrocities he has committed, which spool endlessly in his mind.

From The Daily Beast

I want a spool of red silk, two pieces of crimson dress braid, and a spool of fifty cotton.

From Project Gutenberg

It is easily avoided, however, by procuring a large spool and fastening it to the bottom of the base with a wood screw.

From Project Gutenberg

The spool will serve as a handle while the varnish is applied, and also makes a stand for the board while the varnish dries.

From Project Gutenberg

On the inside of the spool, or towel support, an ordinary incandescent electric globe was placed.

From Project Gutenberg

The ends of the spool are made of thin brass and are dimensioned as shown in Fig. 2, at B and C.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cylinder