reel
1. reel \'re-(*)l\ n [ME, fr. OE hre-ol; akin to ON hrll weaver's
reed, Gk (Xkrekein to weave 1: a revolvable device on which something
flexible is wound : as 1a: a small windlass at the butt of a fishing rod
for the line chiefly Brit 1b: a spool or bobbin for sewing thread 1c: a
flanged spool for photographic film 2: a quantity of something wound on a
reel 3: a frame for drying clothes usu. having radial arms on a vertical
pole
2. reel \'re--l*-b*l\ vt 1: to wind upon or as if upon a reel 2: to draw
by reeling a line : to wind on a reel - reel.able aj
3. reel vb [ME relen, prob. fr. reel, n.] 1a: to turn or move round and
round : WHIRL 1b: to be giddy 2: to behave in a violent disorderly manner
3: to waver or fall back from a blow : RECOIL 4: to walk or move
unsteadily : SWAY : to cause to reel
4. reel n : a reeling motion
5. reel n [prob. fr. 4reel] : a lively Scottish-highland dance or its music