— swivellike , adj.
/swiv"euhl/ , n. , v. , swiveled, swiveling or ( esp. Brit. ) swivelled, swivelling .
n.
1. a fastening device that allows the thing fastened to turn around freely upon it, esp. to turn in a full circle.
2. such a device consisting of two parts, each of which turns around independently, as a compound link of a chain, one part of which turns freely in the other by means of a headed pin or the like.
3. a pivoted support allowing a gun to turn around in a horizontal plane.
4. a swivel gun.
5. a device attached to a loom and used as a shuttle to weave extra threads in the production of small figures, esp. dots.
v.t.
6. to turn or pivot on or as if on a swivel: He swiveled his chair around.
7. to fasten by a swivel; furnish with a swivel.
v.i.
8. to turn on or if as on a swivel.
[ 1275-1325; ME (n.), equiv. to swiv- (weak s. of OE swifan to revolve; c. ON svifa to turn) + -el instrumental suffix ]