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   Spi·ral

   /ˈspīrəl/

   

   adjective

   • 1. winding in a continuous and gradually widening (or tightening) curve, either around 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, around a solid or open center: "a wrought-iron spiral staircase"
   • ▪ (of a fracture) curving around a long bone lengthwise.
   • ▪ short for spiral-bound

   noun

   • 1. a spiral curve, shape, or pattern: "he spotted a spiral of smoke"
   • ▪ a spiral spring.
   • ▪ 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: "a downward spiral of sex and drink"
   • 3. a pass or kick that moves smoothly through the air while spinning on its long axis.

   verb

   • 1. move in a spiral course: "a wisp of smoke spiraled up from the trees" Similar coilwindtwirlswirltwistwreathesnakegyrate
   • ▪ cause to have a spiral shape or follow a spiral course: "spiral the bandage around the injured 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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