coil (n.)

  1. a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops; a coil of rope

    [ Syn: spiral , volute , whorl , helix ]

  2. a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)

    [ Syn: whorl , roll , curl , curlicue , ringlet , gyre , scroll ]

  3. a transformer that supplies high voltage to spark plugs in a gasoline engine

  4. a contraceptive device placed inside a woman's womb

  5. tubing that is wound in a spiral

  6. reactor consisting of a spiral of insulated wire that introduces inductance into a circuit

    coil (v.)

  1. to wind or move in a spiral course; the muscles and nerves of his fine drawn body were coiling for action; black smoke coiling up into the sky; the young people gyrated on the dance floor

    [ Syn: gyrate , spiral ]

  2. make without a potters wheel; This famous potter hand-builds all of her vessels

    [ Syn: handbuild , hand-build ]

  3. wind around something in coils or loops

    [ Syn: loop , curl ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.