reel 1 (r l)n.1. A device, such as a cylinder, spool, or frame, that turns on an axis and is used for winding and storing rope, tape, film, or other flexible materials. 2. A cylindrical device attached to a fishing rod to let out or wind up the line. 3. The quantity of wire, film, or other material wound on one reel. 4. A set of curved lawn-mower blades that rotate around a bar parallel to the ground, cutting grass while moving against a stationary straight blade. tr.v. reeled, reel·ing, reels 1. To wind on or let out from a reel. 2. To recover by winding on a reel: reel in a large fish. Phrasal Verb: reel off To recite fluently and usually at length: reeled off a long list of names and dates.
[Middle English, from Old English hr ol.]
reel a·ble adj. |
reel 2 (r l)v. reeled, reel·ing, reels v.intr.1. To be thrown off balance or fall back: reeled from the sharp blow. 2. To stagger, lurch, or sway, as from drunkenness: reeled down the alley. 3. To go round and round in a whirling motion: gulls reeling and diving. 4. To feel dizzy: My head reeled with the facts and figures. n.1. A staggering, swaying, or whirling movement. 2. a. A moderately fast dance of Scottish origin. b. The Virginia reel. c. The music for one of these dances.
[Middle English relen, to whirl about, probably from reel, spool; see reel1.]
reel er n. |
reel 3 (r l)n. Maine A hand-held hammer used in a quarry for shaping granite blocks. See Regional Note at reeling.
[Origin unknown.] |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | reeler - someone who walks unsteadily as if about to fall | | 2. | reeler - a dancer of reels |
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