spindle
1. spin.dle \'spin-d*l\ n [ME spindel, fr. OE spinel; akin to OE spinnan to
spin] 1a: a round stick with tapered ends used to form and twist the yarn
in hand spinning 1b: the long slender pin by which the thread is twisted
in a spinning wheel 1c: any of the various rods or pins holding a bobbin
in a spinning frame or other textile machine 1d: the pin in a loom shuttle
2: something shaped like a spindle (as a spindle-shaped achromatic figure
a long which the chromosomes are distributed during mitosis) 3a: the bar or
shaft usu. of square section that carries the knobs and actu ates the latch
or bolt of a lock 3b1: a turned often decorative piece 3b2: NEWEL 3c1: a
revolving piece esp. if less in size than a shaft 3c2: a horizontal or
vertical axle revolving on pin or pivot ends 3c3: a rod attached to a
valve to move or guide it 3d: the part of an axle on which a vehicle wheel
turns
2. spindle \-(d)lin, -(d)l*n, -d*l-in, -d*l-*n\ vb or spin.dling 1: to
shoot or grow into a long slender stalk 2: to grow to stalk or stem rather
than to flower or fruit : to impale, thrust, or perforate on the spike of
a spindle file