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 living room where he sat was cluttered with tools from his profession - a sewing machine, spools of thread and a heavy iron.

From BBC

It speaks to a deeper cultural conflict that has been spooling out for years, with flashpoints like the #MeToo movement and the fight for abortion rights.

From Salon

Irvine police also said they found several items in the hangar that appeared to have been stolen from Irvine residents, including 11 bicycles and several spools of copper wiring.

From Los Angeles Times

Starting a TV series with a shocking flash-forward is a tiresome and overused narrative device, but once the plot spools back and the series finds its groove, it is superb.

From BBC

At dinner Cecil led us to the best yardstick, and mice stood on their spools for a better look at us.

From Literature

Related Words

• cylinder