Dictionary
coil
Pronunciation: (koil), [key]—
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.
1. to form rings, spirals, etc.; gather or retract in a circular way:
The snake coiled, ready to strike.
2. to move in or follow a winding course:
The river coiled through the valley.
—
n.
1. a connected series of spirals or rings into which a rope or the like is wound.
2. a single such ring.
3. an arrangement of pipes, coiled or in a series, as in a radiator.
4. a continuous pipe having inlet and outlet, or flow and return ends.
5. Med.an intrauterine device.
6. 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.
7. 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.
coil
Pronunciation: (koil), [key]—
n.
1. a noisy disturbance; commotion; tumult.
2. trouble; bustle; ado.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
