spiral
IPA: spˈaɪrʌɫ
noun
- (geometry) A curve that is the locus of a point that rotates about a fixed point while continuously increasing its distance from that point.
- (informal) A helix.
- A self-sustaining process with a lot of momentum involved, so it is difficult to accelerate or stop it at once.
- (rail transport) A section of track that forms a circle and crosses over itself, used for gaining height in mountainous territory.
verb
- (intransitive) To move along the path of a spiral or helix.
- (transitive) To cause something to spiral.
- (figuratively, intransitive) To increase continually.
adjective
- Helical, like a spiral.
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Examples of "spiral" in Sentences
- The image of the spiral is incorrect.
- The waves roll in spiraling currents.
- It added the notable feature of plasma spiraling.
- The vaults are painted with spiraling vegetal motifs.
- Open the door and you will be in a spiraling corridor.
- The spiral patterens in the weather are not fictitious.
- Notice that the spiral structure ends at the onset of the bulge.
- It's found in the structure of crystals and the spiral of galaxies.
- A spiral stairway leads to the observatory at the top of the structure.
- The centres of the circles in the sequence lie on a logarithmic spiral.
- Now the one entity with the economic clout to counter-act that spiral is the federal government.
- The only way out of this kind of deflationary spiral is for the government to do something to “stimulate” demand, which is what we did.
- In "Time After Time" 2000, which opened the program, Mr. Lerdahl incorporated what he calls a spiral form, in which a simple and stable musical idea is expanded on.
- As Keynes proved, the only way out of a deflationary spiral is government fiscal policy – having the government spend money in order to stimulate spending by the private sector.
- The researchers attribute this to what they call spiral density wave shocks, which can take gas in a circular orbit, compress it to form stars, and cause it to go into a new, elliptical orbit.
- That of the right eye which we know as the spiral field, becoming more and more contracted as the perimeter test is continued, is what is found in functional cases; that of the left, however, shows a characteristic loss of the lower part of the field of vision, and agrees with the statement of the man that he can see the upper part of my face but not the lower when he looks at me.