■ noun
1》 a slender rounded rod with tapered ends used in hand spinning to twist and wind thread from a mass of wool or flax held on a distaff.
↘a pin bearing the bobbin of a spinning machine.
2》 a rod or pin serving as an axis that revolves or on which something revolves.
3》 a turned piece of wood used as a banister or chair leg.
4》 Biology a slender mass of microtubules formed when a cell divides.
5》 a measure of length for yarn, equal to 15,120 yards (13,826 metres) for cotton or 14,400 yards (13,167 metres) for linen.
6》 N. Amer. a spike for filing papers.
Origin
OE spinel , from the base of spin .