/ riːl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
( especially BrE ) (also spool especially in NAmE ) a round object around which you wind such things as thread, wire or film; a reel together with the film, wire, thread, etc. that is wound around it :
a cotton reel
a reel on a fishing rod
reels of magnetic tape
a new reel of film
The hero was killed in the final reel (= in the final part of the film / movie) .
—picture at hose , sewing machine
2.
a fast Scottish, Irish or American dance, usually for two or four couples; a piece of music for this dance
■ verb [ v ]
1.
[usually + adv. / prep. ] to move in a very unsteady way, for example because you are drunk or have been hit
SYN stagger :
I punched him on the chin, sending him reeling backwards.
2.
reel (at / from / with sth) to feel very shocked or upset about sth :
I was still reeling from the shock.
3.
to seem to be spinning around and around :
When he opened his eyes, the room was reeling.
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PHRASAL VERBS
- reel sth in / out
- reel sth off
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English hrēol , denoting a rotating device on which spun thread is wound; of unknown origin.