spiraling

spi·ral

S0645800 (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.

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[Medieval Latin spīrālis, of a spiral, from Latin spīra, coil; see spire².]

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spi·ral′i·ty (spī-răl′ĭ-tē) n.spi′ral·ly adv.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

spiraling - in the shape of a coil coiling, helical, spiral, volute, voluted, whorled, turbinatecoiled - curled or wound (especially in concentric rings or spirals); "a coiled snake ready to strike"; "the rope lay coiled on the deck"