1. A curve on a plane that winds around a fixed center point at a continuously increasing or decreasing distance from the point.
2. A three-dimensional curve that turns around an axis at a constant or continuously varying distance while moving parallel to the axis; a helix.
3. something having the form of such a curve: a spiral of black smoke.
4. printing A spiral binding.
5. the course or flight path of an object rotating on its longitudinal axis.
6. A continuously accelerating increase or decrease: the wage-price spiral.
7. of or resembling a spiral.
8. circling around a center at a continuously increasing or decreasing distance.
9. coiling around an axis in a constantly changing series of planes; helical.
10. printing relating to or having a spiral binding: a spiral notebook.
11. to take a spiral form or course.
12. to rise or fall with steady acceleration.
13. to cause to take a spiral form or course.

1. A curve that is the locus of a point that rotates about a fixed point while continuously increasing its distance from that point.
2. A helix.
3. helical, like a spiral
4. to move along the path of a spiral or helix.
5. to increase continually.

1. winding or circling round a center or pole and gradually receding from it.
2. winding round a cylinder or imaginary axis, and at the same time rising or advancing forward; winding like the thread of a screw; helical.
3. of or pertaining to a spiral; like a spiral.
4. A plane curve, not reëntrant, described by a point, called the generatrix, moving along a straight line according to a mathematical law, while the line is revolving about a fixed point called the pole. cf. helix.
5. anything which has a spiral form, as a spiral shell.

1. of or pertaining to a spire or coil; like a spire; pointed or shaped like a spire.
2. winding around a fixed point or center, and continually receding from it, like a watchspring; specifically, in conchology, making a number of turns about the columella or axis of the shell; whorled.
3. winding and at the same time rising or advancing like a screw-thread: more accurately helical or helicoidal.
4. in geometry, a plane curve which runs continuously round and round a fixed point, called the center, with constantly increasing radius vector, so that the latter is never normal to the curve; also, a part of such a curve in the course of which the radius from the center describes 360°.
5. A helix or curve which winds round a cylinder like a screw.
6. A spiral spring.
7. in wool, one of the curls or convolutions in wool-fiber, the number of which in a unit of length is made the basis of an estimate of its quality for manufacturing.
8. in zoology and anatomy, a spiral formation, as of a univalve, of the cochlea, etc.
9. to make spiral; cause to move spirally.
10. to assume a spiral form; move in a spiral course.
11. A loop in a railroad line used to overcome steep grades in a mountainous region by carrying the line through a continuously rising curve.
12. of a point: the origin of coördinates O corresponds to v = o, and the asymptotic points, P′ , P1, round which the curve goes in an ever-closing spiral, correspond to v = ±∞. the intrinsic equation, expressing the relation between the arc

1. a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops
2. a curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant angle
3. a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the center
4. ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around a center with an increasing distance from the center
5. in the shape of a coil
6. to wind or move in a spiral course
7. a continuously accelerating change in the economy
8. flying downward in a helical path with a large radius
9. move in a spiral or zigzag course
10. form a spiral