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1. Dictionary

   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. 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.

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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › spiral

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   spiral: [adjective] winding around a center or pole and gradually receding from or approaching it. helical. spiral-bound.

4. 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.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   8 meanings: 1. geometry one of several plane curves formed by a point winding about a fixed point at an ever-increasing.... Click for more definitions.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   The economy continued its downward spiral. There is a risk that the policy may trigger an inflationary spiral. to halt the vicious downward spiral of drug abuse; The book gives a harrowing account of a downward spiral of drink, drugs and despair. The country is caught in a vicious spiral of rising wages and prices.

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › Spiral;

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   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.

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

   www.thefreedictionary.com › spiral

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   Define spiral. spiral synonyms, spiral pronunciation, spiral translation, English dictionary definition of spiral. 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.

9. 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.

10. www.britannica.com › dictionary › spiralSpiral Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

    www.britannica.com › dictionary › spiral

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    plural spirals. Britannica Dictionary definition of SPIRAL. [count] 1. : a circular curving line that goes around a central point while getting closer to or farther away from it. The glider flew in a wide spiral over the field. 2. : a situation in which something continuously increases, decreases, or gets worse — usually singular.

11. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionarySPIRAL | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

    • Cached

    SPIRAL meaning: a shape made by a curve turning around and around a central point: . Learn more.