I. ˈspind ə l, chiefly dial -n ə l — compare spindly noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English spindel, from Old English spinel; akin to Old Frisian spindel spindle, Old High German spinila spindle, Old English spinnan to spin — more at spin
1. : a long tapered pin or rod serving as an axis in spinning:
a. : a round stick with tapered ends that is twirled around to form and twist the yarn in hand spinning
b. : the long slender pin by which the thread is twisted in a spinning wheel and on which it is then wound
c. : any of the various rods or pins holding a bobbin in a spinning frame or other textile machine
d. : the pin in a loom shuttle
2. : something shaped like a spindle : a fusiform piece or figure: as
a. obsolete : a long stalk or stem of a plant
b. : a spindle-shaped sensory nerve ending — see muscle spindle
c. : the spindle-shaped portion of the achromatic figure along which the mitotic chromosomes are distributed to the daughter nuclei and which is apparently a dynamic product of gelation of the nuclear sap actively concerned in the separation of the chromosomes in mitosis and is no longer regarded as a structural unit of elongated spindle fibers
d. : rachis
e. : spindle shell
f. : spindle tree
3. : any of various more or less slender pins or rods that are suggestive of a spinning-machine spindle which turns or on which something turns: as
a. : the bar or shaft usually of square section that carries the knobs and actuates the latch or bolt of a lock
b.
(1) : a turned often decorative piece (as in a baluster)
(2) : newel
c. : an upright rod or pipe on which the sweep arm revolves in sweeping up a foundry mold or which is used in making a core
d.
(1) : a revolving piece especially if less in size than a shaft
(2) : a horizontal or vertical axle revolving on pin or pivot ends
the live spindle of a lathe
the spindle of a vane
the spindle of a capstan
(3) : a rod attached to a valve to move or guide it
e. : the part of an axle on which a vehicle wheel turns
4. : a unit of length used in counting yarns (as flax or jute)
a spindle of flax or jute equals 14,400 yards
5.
a. : the upper main piece of a made mast
b. : a round usually iron pile or pipe placed on a rock or shoal as an aid to navigation
6. : the pin of a turntable over which a phonograph record fits
II. ˈspind ə l, chiefly dial -n ə l — compare pres part verb
( spindled ; spindled ; spindling -nd( ə )liŋ, -nliŋ, -nlēŋ, -nlə̇n ; spindles )
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to shoot or grow into a long slender stalk : form a stem
b. : to become disproportionately or unwholesomely tall and slender
2.
a. : to grow to stalk or stem rather than to flower or fruit
b. : to become thin and useless
transitive verb
: to impale, thrust, or perforate on the spike of a spindle file
spindle an order slip