adj., n., & v.
--adj.
1. winding about a centre in an enlarging or decreasing continuous circular motion, either on a flat plane or rising in a cone; coiled.
2 winding continuously along or as if along a cylinder, like the thread of a screw.
--n.
1. a plane or three-dimensional spiral curve.
2 a spiral spring.
3 a spiral formation in a shell etc.
4 a spiral galaxy.
5 a progressive rise or fall of prices, wages, etc., each responding to an upward or downward stimulus provided by the other (a spiral of rising prices and wages).
--v. (spiralled, spiralling; US spiraled, spiraling)
1. intr. move in a spiral course, esp. upwards or downwards.
2 tr. make spiral.
3 intr. esp. Econ. (of prices, wages, etc.) rise or fall, esp. rapidly (cf. sense 5 of n.).
Phrases and idioms:
spiral balance a device for measuring weight by the torsion of a spiral spring. spiral galaxy a galaxy in which the matter is concentrated mainly in one or more spiral arms. spiral staircase a staircase rising in a spiral round a central axis.
Derivatives:
spirality n. spirally adv.
Etymology: F spiral or med.L spiralis (as SPIRE(2))