(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is a cylindrical object around which you wrap something such as cinema film, magnetic tape, fishing line, or cotton thread. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use spool )
...a 30m ~ of cable.
N-COUNT: oft N of n
2.
If someone ~s, they move about in an unsteady way as if they are going to fall.
He was ~ing a little. He must be very drunk...
He lost his balance and ~ed back...
VERB: V, V adv/prep
3.
If you are ~ing from a shock, you are feeling extremely surprised or upset because of it.
I’m still ~ing from the shock of hearing of it...
It left us ~ing with disbelief.
VERB: usu cont, V from n, V prep
4.
If you say that your brain or your mind is ~ing, you mean that you are very confused because you have too many things to think about.
His mind ~ed at the question.
VERB: V