spin (n.)

  1. a swift whirling motion (usually of a missile)

  2. the act of rotating rapidly; he gave the crank a spin; it broke off after much twisting

    [ Syn: twirl , twist , twisting , whirl ]

  3. a short drive in a car; he took the new car for a spin'

  4. rapid descent of an aircraft in a steep spiral

    [ Syn: tailspin ]

  5. a distinctive interpretation (especially as used by politicians to sway public opinion); the campaign put a favorable spin on the story'

    spin (v.)

  1. revolve quickly and repeatedly around ones own axis; The dervishes whirl around and around without getting dizzy

    [ Syn: spin around , whirl , reel , gyrate ]

  2. stream in jets, of liquids; The creek spun its course through the woods'

  3. cause to spin; spin a coin

    [ Syn: whirl , birl , twirl ]

  4. make up a story; spin a yarn'

  5. form a web by making a thread; spiders spin a fine web'

  6. work natural fibers into a thread; spin silk'

  7. twist and turn so as to give an intended interpretation; The President's spokesmen had to spin the story to make it less embarrassing'

  8. prolong or extend; spin out a visit

    [ Syn: spin out ]

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