[ wɔ:l , wə:l ]
■ noun
1》 Zoology each of the convolutions in the shell of a gastropod or ammonoid mollusc.
2》 Botany a set of leaves, flowers, or branches springing from the stem at the same level and encircling it.
↘(in a flower) each of the sets of organs, especially the petals and sepals, arranged concentrically round the receptacle.
3》 a complete circle in a fingerprint.
4》 chiefly historical a small wheel or pulley in a spinning wheel, spinning machine, or spindle.
■ verb literary spiral or move in a twisted or convoluted fashion.
Derivatives
~ed adjective
Origin
ME (denoting a small flywheel): appar. a var. of whirl , influenced by OE wharve '~ of a spindle'.