spiral
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Related to spirals: Fibonacci
spi·ral
(spī′rəl)n.
1.
a. A curve on a plane that winds around a fixed center point at a continuously increasing or decreasing distance from the point.
b. A three-dimensional curve that turns around an axis at a constant or continuously varying distance while moving parallel to the axis; a helix.
c. Something having the form of such a curve: a spiral of black smoke.
2. Printing A spiral binding.
3. The course or flight path of an object rotating on its longitudinal axis.
4. A continuously accelerating increase or decrease: the wage-price spiral.
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.
v. spi·raled, spi·ral·ing, spi·rals also spi·ralled or spi·ral·ling
v.intr.
1. To take a spiral form or course.
2. To rise or fall with steady acceleration.
v.tr.
To cause to take a spiral form or course.
[Medieval Latin spīrālis, of a spiral, from Latin spīra, coil; see spire2.]
spi·ral′i·ty (spī-răl′ĭ-tē) n.
spi′ral·ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
spiral
(ˈspaɪərəl)n
1. (Mathematics) geometry one of several plane curves formed by a point winding about a fixed point at an ever-increasing distance from it. Polar equation of Archimedes spiral: r = aθ; of logarithmic spiral: log r = aθ; of hyperbolic spiral: rθ = a, (where a is a constant)
2. (Mathematics) another name for helix1
3. something that pursues a winding, usually upward, course or that displays a twisting form or shape
4. (Aeronautics) a flight manoeuvre in which an aircraft descends describing a helix of comparatively large radius with the angle of attack within the normal flight range. Compare spin16
5. (Economics) economics a continuous upward or downward movement in economic activity or prices, caused by interaction between prices, wages, demand, and production
adj
having the shape of a spiral
vb, -rals, -ralling or -ralled, -rals, -raling or -raled
6. to assume or cause to assume a spiral course or shape
7. (intr) to increase or decrease with steady acceleration: wages and prices continue to spiral.
[C16: via French from Medieval Latin spīrālis, from Latin spīra a coil; see spire2]
ˈspirally adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
spi•ral
(ˈspaɪ rəl)n., adj., v. -raled, -ral•ing (esp. Brit.) -ralled, -ral•ling. n.
1. a plane curve generated by a point moving around a fixed point while constantly receding from or approaching it.
2. a helix.
3. a single circle or ring of a spiral or helical curve or object.
4. a spiral or helical object, formation, or form.
5. a football thrown or kicked so that the ball turns on its longer axis as it flies through the air.
6. a continuous increase or decrease in wages, prices, etc.
adj. 7. of or of the nature of a spire or coil.
8. bound with a spiral binding; spiral-bound: a spiral notebook.
v.i. 9. to take a spiral form or course.
10. to rise or fall steadily.
[1545–55; < Medieval Latin spīrālis= Latin spīr(a) coil (< Greek speîra; compare spire2) + -ālis -al1]
spi′ral•ly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
spiral
Past participle: spiralled
Gerund: spiralling
| Imperative |
|---|
| spiral |
| spiral |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. |  spiral - a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the centercurve, curved shape - the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes |
| 2. |  spiral - a curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant anglecurve, curved shape - the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes double helix - a pair of parallel helices intertwined about a common axis; "the shape of the DNA molecule is a double helix" | |
| 3. | spiral - a continuously accelerating change in the economy economic process - any process affecting the production and development and management of material wealth inflationary spiral - an episode of inflation in which prices and wages increase at an increasing rate and currency rapidly loses value deflationary spiral - an episode of deflation in which prices and wages decrease at an increasing rate and currency gains in value | |
| 4. |  spiral - ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around a center with an increasing distance from the center | |
| 5. |  spiral - a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops; "a coil of rope"hank - a coil of rope or wool or yarn structure, construction - a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts; "the structure consisted of a series of arches"; "she wore her hair in an amazing construction of whirls and ribbons" | |
| 6. | spiral - flying downward in a helical path with a large radius rotary motion, rotation - the act of rotating as if on an axis; "the rotation of the dancer kept time with the music" | |
| Verb | 1. | spiral - to wind or move in a spiral course; "the muscles and nerves of his fine drawn body were coiling for action"; "black smoke coiling up into the sky"; "the young people gyrated on the dance floor" turn - change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense; "Turn towards me"; "The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face"; "She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs" |
| 2. | spiral - form a spiral; "The path spirals up the mountain" | |
| 3. | spiral - move in a spiral or zigzag course turn - change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense; "Turn towards me"; "The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face"; "She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs" | |
| Adj. | 1. |  spiral - in the shape of a coil coiled - curled or wound (especially in concentric rings or spirals); "a coiled snake ready to strike"; "the rope lay coiled on the deck" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
spiral
adjective
noun
verb
spiral downwards decline, fall, drop, sink, shrink, decrease, deteriorate, fall off, dwindle, wane, ebb House prices will continue to spiral downwards.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
spiral
verbThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
إرتِفاع تَصاعُدي للأسْعارحَلَزونيلَولَبيمَسار حَلَزونييَرْتَفِع أو يَتَصاعَد حَلَزونِيّا
spirálaspirálovitě stoupatspirálovýšroubovitýtočitý
hastig stigningspiralstyrtdyk
csigavonalúspirálspirálisan emelkedik
hreyfa í spíral, skrúfast uppskrúfugangurspíral-spíral-, hringspírall
įvijaskaip spiralėlaipsniškai kiltilaipsniškai kristilaipsniškas kilimas
attīstīties spirālveidīgigrīstespirālespirāles-spirālveidīgs
špirálašpirálovito stúpaťšpirálovitýšpirálovýtočitý
polžastspiralaspiralen
dalgalanmafırlamakhelezonhelezonîiniş çıkış
spiral
[ˈspaɪərəl]C. VI to spiral up/down → subir/bajar en espiral
the plane spiralled down → el avión bajó en espiral
the smoke spiralled up; the smoke went spiralling up → el humo subió formando una espiral
prices have spiralled up → los precios han subido vertiginosamente
the plane spiralled down → el avión bajó en espiral
the smoke spiralled up; the smoke went spiralling up → el humo subió formando una espiral
prices have spiralled up → los precios han subido vertiginosamente
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
spiral
[ˈspaɪərəl] n
(= shape) → spirale f
(= trend) → spirale f
the inflationary spiral → la spirale inflationniste
downward spiral → spirale descendante
the inflationary spiral → la spirale inflationniste
downward spiral → spirale descendante
adj [pattern, movement, curve] → en spirale
vi
(= rise rapidly) [prices, costs] → monter en flèchespiral staircase spiral stairway n → escalier m en colimaçon
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
spiral
adj → spiralförmig, spiralig; shell also → gewunden; spring → Spiral-; movement, descent → in Spiralen; a spiral curve → eine Spirale; spiral nebula → Spiralnebel m
vi (also spiral up) → sich (hoch)winden; (smoke also, missile etc) → spiralförmig or in einer Spirale aufsteigen; (prices) → (nach oben) klettern
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
spiral
(ˈspaiərəl) adjective1. coiled round like a spring, with each coil the same size as the one below. a spiral staircase.
2. winding round and round, usually tapering to a point. a spiral shell.
noun1. an increase or decrease, or rise or fall, becoming more and more rapid (eg in prices).
2. a spiral line or object. A spiral of smoke rose from the chimney.
verb – past tense, past participle ˈspiralled , (American) ˈspiraled – to go or move in a spiral, especially to increase more and more rapidly. Prices have spiralled in the last six months.
ˈspirally adverbKernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
spi·ral
a. espiral, que se envuelve alrededor de un centro o axis.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012