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   spiral

   /ˈspʌɪrəl/

   adjective

   • 1. winding in a continuous and gradually widening (or tightening) curve, either round a central point on a flat plane or about an axis so as to form a cone: "a spiral pattern"
   • ▪ winding in a continuous curve of constant diameter about a central axis, as though along a cylinder; helical.
   • ▪ (of a stairway) constantly turning in one direction as it rises, round a solid or open centre: "a wrought-iron spiral staircase"
   • ▪ (of a fracture) curving round a long bone lengthwise.
   • ▪ short for spiral-bound

   noun

   • 1. a spiral curve, shape, pattern, or object: "a spiral of smoke"
   • ▪ short for spiral galaxy
   • 2. a progressive rise or fall of prices, wages, etc., each responding to an upward or downward stimulus provided by a previous one: "an inflationary spiral"
   • ▪ a process of deterioration through the continuous increase or decrease of a specified feature: "this spiral of deprivation and environmental degradation"

   verb

   • 1. move in a spiral course: "a wisp of smoke spiralled up from the trees" Similar coilwindtwirlswirltwistwreathesnakegyrate
   • ▪ cause to have a spiral shape or follow a spiral course: "spiral the bandage round the limb" Similar coilwindtwirlswirltwistwreathesnakegyrate
   • 2. show a continuous and dramatic increase: "inflation continued to spiral" Similar soarshoot uprocketincrease rapidlyrise rapidlyleap upescalateclimbmountinformal:skyrocketgo through the ceilinggo through the roofOpposite fall
   • ▪ decrease or deteriorate continuously: "he expects the figures to spiral down further" Similar deterioratedeclinedegenerateworsenget worseinformal:go downhilltake a nosedivego to potgo to the dogshit the skidsgo down the toiletgo down the tubesOpposite improve

   Word Origin mid 16th century (as an adjective): from medieval Latin spiralis, from Latin spira ‘coil’ (see spire2).

   Derivatives

   • 1. spirally adverb
   • 2. spirality noun

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • S

     1

   • P

     3

   • I

     1

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • L

     1

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › spiralSpiral Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › spiral

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   The meaning of SPIRAL is winding around a center or pole and gradually receding from or approaching it. How to use spiral in a sentence.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishSPIRAL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   SPIRAL definition: 1. a shape made up of curves, each one above or wider than the one before: 2. a situation in which…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › spiralSPIRAL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › spiral

   • Cached

   Spiral definition: a plane curve generated by a point moving around a fixed point while constantly receding from or approaching it.. See examples of SPIRAL used in a sentence.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionarySPIRAL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   SPIRAL meaning: 1. a shape made up of curves, each one above or wider than the one before: 2. a situation in which…. Learn more.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › spiralSpiral - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › spiral

   A spiral is a coil or curl, like the shape of a piece of hair wound around your finger, a Slinky toy, or a corkscrew. A curve forming a series of circles that become gradually larger or smaller is one kind of spiral.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › spiralSpiral - definition of spiral by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › spiral

   • Cached

   adj. 1. Of or resembling a spiral. 2. Circling around a center at a continuously increasing or decreasing distance. 3. Coiling around an axis in a constantly changing series of planes; helical. 4. Printing Relating to or having a spiral binding: a spiral notebook.

8. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishSPIRAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   A spiral is a shape which winds round and round, with each curve above or outside the previous one.

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishspiral noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   Definition of spiral noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

10. www.dictionary.com › browse › Spiral;SPIRAL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

    www.dictionary.com › browse › Spiral;

    • Cached

    coiling around a fixed line or axis in a constantly changing series of planes; helical. of or of the nature of a spire or coil. bound with a spiral binding; spiral-bound: a spiral notebook.

11. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english-wordSPIRAL - Find out everything about this English word | Collins

    www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english-word

    • Cached

    A spiral is a shape which winds round and round, with each curve above or outside the previous one. 2. If something spirals or is spiralled somewhere, it grows or moves in a spiral curve.