[spi.ral] adj [ML spiralis, fr. L spira coil--more at spire] (1551) 1 a: winding around a center or pole and gradually receding from or approaching it "the ~ curve of a watch spring" b: helical c: spiral-bound "a ~ notebook"
2: of or relating to the advancement to higher levels through a series of cyclical movements -- spi.ral.ly adv
[2]spiral n (1656) 1 a: the path of a point in a plane moving around a central point while continuously receding from or approaching it b: 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 3 a: something having a spiral form b (1): a spiral flight (2): a kick or pass in which a football rotates on its long axis while moving through the air
4: a continuously spreading and accelerating increase or decrease "wage ~s" [3]spiral vb -raled or -ralled ; -ral.ing or -ral.ling vi (1834): to go and esp. to rise or fall in a spiral course "costs ~ed upward" ~ vt 1: to form into a spiral
2: to cause to spiral