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 /

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. See induction coil
   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

coil

²

/ kɔɪl /

noun

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

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: from Old French coillir to collect together; see cull

Origin of coil²

C16: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

A wireless signal can be sent that creates a current in a coil surrounding the pin, affecting its magnetic field and dropping the gadget.

From TechCrunch

Internal air chambers simulate traditional coils, and a double-lock valve helps keep air from escaping, and the convenient two-pack makes for an economic option when outfitting a family.

From Popular-Science

This mattress gets high marks for its double-height construction and the 40 internal air chambers in the top of the mattress that simulate the individual coils of a traditional mattress.

From Popular-Science

Each notebook is bound with a spiral lock coil binding that helps prevent the coils from catching on other things in your backpack.

From Popular-Science

That change in the magnetic field around the coil generates an electric current that also can be used to power the device.

From Science News

ABC had effectively removed the launching coil on its Modern Family springboard.

From The Daily Beast

Dabbing wax on the coil or using hash oil on the wick also works.

From The Daily Beast

With time I learned to disassemble the entire hotpot and mount the heating coil on a roast beef can with a whole punched in it.

From The Daily Beast

On the other far end of the spectrum, admittedly, is the idea that our first president might have unsprung the mortal coil.

From The Daily Beast

The people of his auto-erotic novel Crash coil sex, death, and the motor car, a megadose of pleasure brew.

From The Daily Beast

Over this spot he twisted all the remaining hair into a coil about four inches long, pointing slightly forward like a horn.

From Project Gutenberg

No matter what Jessie did to the tuning coil she could not bring that strangely broadcasted message back to their ears.

From Project Gutenberg

Amy adjusted the earphones while her friend manipulated the slides on the tuning coil.

From Project Gutenberg

She adjusted it, sticking the hat pin through the heavy coil of hair with some deliberation.

From Project Gutenberg

“No visitors allowed aboard,” replied Mr Welton sternly; catching up, nevertheless, a coil of rope.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• braid
• tendril