spindle (n.)

  1. (biology) tiny fibers that are seen in cell division; the fibers radiate from two poles and meet at the equator in the middle; chromosomes are distributed by spindles in mitosis and meiosis'

  2. a piece of wood that has been turned on a lathe; used as a baluster, chair leg, etc.

  3. any of various rotating shafts that serve as axes for larger rotating parts

    [ Syn: mandrel , mandril , arbor ]

  4. a stick or pin used to twist the yarn in spinning

  5. any holding device consisting of a rigid, sharp-pointed object; the spike pierced the receipts and held them in order

    [ Syn: spike ]

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