coil 1
— coilable , adj. — coilability , n.
/koyl/ , v.t.
1. to wind into continuous, regularly spaced rings one above the other: to coil a wire around a pencil.
2. to wind on a flat surface into rings one around the other: He coiled the rope on the deck.
3. to gather (rope, wire, etc.) into loops: She coiled the garden hose and hung it on the hook.
v.i.
4. to form rings, spirals, etc.; gather or retract in a circular way: The snake coiled, ready to strike.
5. to move in or follow a winding course: The river coiled through the valley.
n.
6. a connected series of spirals or rings into which a rope or the like is wound.
7. a single such ring.
8. an arrangement of pipes, coiled or in a series, as in a radiator.
9. a continuous pipe having inlet and outlet, or flow and return ends.
10. Med. an intrauterine device.
11. Elect.
a. a conductor, as a copper wire, wound up in a spiral or other form.
b. a device composed essentially of such a conductor.
c. See ignition coil .
12. Philately.
a. a stamp issued in a roll, usually of 500 stamps, and usually perforated vertically or horizontally only.
b. a roll of such stamps.
[ 1605-15; perh. var. of CULL ]
coil 2
/koyl/ , n.
1. a noisy disturbance; commotion; tumult.
2. trouble; bustle; ado.
[ 1560-70; orig. uncert. ]