Webster's English Dictionary

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spiral

1. spi.ral \'spi--r*l\ \-r*-le-\ aj [ML spiralis, fr. L spira coil] 1a: 
   winding around a center or pole and gradually receding from or approac hing 
   it {~ curve} 1b: HELICAL  2: advancing to higher levels through a series of 
   cyclical movements  - spi.ral.ly av
2. spiral n 1a: the path of a point in a plane moving around an axis while 
   continuously  receding from or approaching it 1b: a three-dimensional curve 
   (as a helix) with one or more turns about an  axis 2: a single turn or coil 
   in a spiral object  3a: something having a spiral form  3b1: a spiral 
   flight  3b2: a kick or pass in which a football rotates on its long axis 
   while movi ng through the air 4: a continuously spreading and accelerating 
   increase or decrease {wage (R@}
3. spiral vb or spi.raled or spi.ralled;  or spi.ral.ing;  or spi.ral.ling 
   : to move in a spiral course  1: to form into a spiral  2: to cause to 
   spiral