spiral

spi·ral  (sprl)

n.

1.

a. A curve on a plane that winds around a fixed center point at a continuously increasing or decreasing distance from the point.

b. A three-dimensional curve that turns around an axis at a constant or continuously varying distance while moving parallel to the axis; a helix.

c. Something having the form of such a curve: a spiral of black smoke.

2. Printing A spiral binding.

3. The course or flight path of an object rotating on its longitudinal axis.

4. A continuously accelerating increase or decrease: the wage-price spiral.

adj.

1. Of or resembling a spiral.

2. Circling around a center at a continuously increasing or decreasing distance.

3. Coiling around an axis in a constantly changing series of planes; helical.

4. Printing Relating to or having a spiral binding: a spiral notebook.

v. spi·raled also spi·ralled, spi·ral·ing also spi·ral·ling, spi·rals also spi·rals

v.intr.

1. To take a spiral form or course.

2. To rise or fall with steady acceleration.

v.tr.

To cause to take a spiral form or course.

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[Medieval Latin sprlis, of a spiral, from Latin spra, coil; see spire².]

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spi·rali·ty (sp-rl-t) n.

spiral·ly adv.

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spiral

Noun

1. Geom a plane curve formed by a point winding about a fixed point at an ever-increasing distance from it

2. something that follows a winding course or that has a twisting form

3. Econ a continuous upward or downward movement in economic activity or prices

Adjective

having the shape of a spiral: a spiral staircase

Verb

[-ralling, -ralled] or US [-raling, -raled]

1. to follow a spiral course or be in the shape of a spiral

2. to increase or decrease with steady acceleration: oil prices continue to spiral [Latin spira a coil]

spirally adv

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	spiral - a plane curve traced by a point circling about the center but at increasing distances from the center curve, curved shape - the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
	2.	spiral - a curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant angle helix curve, curved shape - the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes double helix - a pair of parallel helices intertwined about a common axis; "the shape of the DNA molecule is a double helix"
	3.	spiral - a continuously accelerating change in the economy economic process - any process affecting the production and development and management of material wealth inflationary spiral - an episode of inflation in which prices and wages increase at an increasing rate and currency rapidly loses value deflationary spiral - an episode of deflation in which prices and wages decrease at an increasing rate and currency gains in value
	4.	spiral - ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around a center with an increasing distance from the center volute decoration, ornament, ornamentation - something used to beautify
	5.	spiral - a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops; "a coil of rope" coil, helix, volute, whorl hank - a coil of rope or wool or yarn structure, construction - a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts; "the structure consisted of a series of arches"; "she wore her hair in an amazing construction of whirls and ribbons"
	6.	spiral - flying downward in a helical path with a large radius rotary motion, rotation - the act of rotating as if on an axis; "the rotation of the dancer kept time with the music"
Verb	1.	spiral - 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" coil, gyrate turn - change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense; "Turn towards me"; "The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face"; "She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs"
	2.	spiral - form a spiral; "The path spirals up the mountain" curve, wind, twist - extend in curves and turns; "The road winds around the lake"; "the path twisted through the forest"
	3.	spiral - move in a spiral or zigzag course corkscrew turn - change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense; "Turn towards me"; "The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face"; "She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs"
Adj.	1.	spiral - in the shape of a coil coiling, helical, spiraling, volute, voluted, whorled, turbinate coiled - curled or wound (especially in concentric rings or spirals); "a coiled snake ready to strike"; "the rope lay coiled on the deck"

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spiral

adjective 1. coiled, winding, corkscrew, circular, scrolled, whorled, helical, cochlear, voluted, cochleate Biology

noun 2. coil, helix, corkscrew, whorl, screw, curlicue

Translations

spiral [ˈspaɪərl] n → espiral f

adj → en espiral

vi [prices] → dispararse;

the inflationary spiral → la espiral inflacionista

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spiral [ˈspaɪərl] n → spirale f

adj → en spirale

vi (fig) [prices etc] → monter en flèche;

the inflationary spiral → la spirale inflationniste

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spiral [ˈspaɪərl] n → Spirale f

vi (fig) (prices etc) → in die Höhe klettern;

the inflationary spiral → die Inflationsspirale

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spiral [ˈspaɪərl] n → spirale f

adj → a spirale

vi [prices] → salire vertiginosamente;

the inflationary spiral → la spirale dell'inflazione