Webster's English Dictionary

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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