spiral
38
3.5
- noun
- /ˈspaɪrəl/
:
espiral
- The snail's shell forms a beautiful spiral shape, showcasing nature's intricate designs.
- a spiral shape
- arm of a spiral
- wound spirals
If Trader Joe's still had their carrot spirals, it would be easy Top.
- If Trader Joe's still had their carrot spirals, it would be easy Top.
- The spirals here, the spirals are metal as well as the hook.
- OK, So in this case with a double spiral, it's like double spiral all the way.
- So doesn't that explain that kind of spiral?
Examples
-
Drowsily, Paracelsus got up, climbed the short spiral staircase, and opened the door.
Fiction book (1992) -
And so basically we will have a spiral that would look like this.
-
You want a cool, tight spiral.
-
After ten minutes, they reached a spiral ramp that led both up and down.
Fiction book (1992) -
The Greek symbol for the golden ratio, the golden spiral.
-
We had knocked out a wall and put in a bar and a spiral staircase.
Fiction book (1994) -
A burnished wood staircase rose in a spiral from the center of the foyer.
Fiction book (1995) -
The architect designed a stunning spiral staircase that became the focal point of the building.
-
In geometry class, we learned how to calculate the area of a spiral shape.
Synonyms
48
2.7
A twisting, spiral shape like smoke or cream in coffee
20
3.7
A length of wire or rope wound in loops
11
6.0
A spiral shape that winds around like a spring or staircase
6
4.8
A spiral or curled shape often used as a decoration
5
8.1
A spiral pattern seen in hair, leaves or smoke
4
7.9
A small decorative curl or twist in handwriting
2
3.1
A curved part of a road or river
A spiral or coil shape found in shells, machines, and buildings
Compounds
- Specialized
5
5.9
A large group of stars with a bright center and curved arms that wind outward
3
1.9
A notebook with a metal or plastic wire along one side that lets pages turn easily
- Specialized
1
9.5
A situation when falling prices and wages cause more falls and make the economy worse
- Specialized
1
8.4
A hand tool that turns screws when you press its spiral handle down
- Archaic
1
8.1
A large group of stars in a flat spiral shape with arms of young stars around an older centre
- Specialized
A wire coiled into a spiral that stores and releases energy to make things turn
- Specialized
A strip of cloth wrapped in overlapping turns around a limb like an arm
How Coiled
Surface Forms
Etymology
Spiral comes from the Latin word spira and the Greek speira, both meaning 'coil' or 'twist'. Think of a line wound around a centre like a rope, which is why the word names a curve or shape that winds in or out.