ETYM Of Celtic origin; cf. Gael. goil fume, rage.
1. A round shape formed by a series of concentric circles; SYN. whorl, roll, curl, curlicue, ringlet, gyre, scroll.
2. Something wound in a continuous series of loops; SYN. spiral, volute, whorl, helix.
3. Tubing that is wound in a spiral.
4. A transformer that supplies high voltage to spark plugs in a gasoline engine.
5. A spiral of insulated wire that introduces inductance into a circuit.
6. A contraceptive device placed inside a woman's womb. + prikaži više

ETYM Cf. French spirale. Related to Spiral.
1. A curve on a plane that winds around a center with an increasing distance from the center; SYN. volute.
2. A plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at ever-greater distances from it.
3. Flying downward in a helical path with a large radius.
A plane curve formed by a point winding round a fixed point from which it distances itself at regular intervals, for example the spiral traced by a flat coil of rope. Various kinds of spirals can be generated mathematically—for example, an equiangular or logarithmic spiral (in which a tangent at any point on the curve always makes the same angle with it) and an involute. Spirals also occur in nature as a normal consequence of accelerating growth, such as the spiral shape of the shells of snails and some other mollusks. + prikaži više