spiral

• Qualifie quelque chose qui a une forme enroulée ou circulaire, semblable à une spirale ; s'emploie aussi au sens figuré pour décrire une augmentation ou une diminution continue et souvent accélérée.

Describes something that has a winding, circular shape like a coil; also used figuratively to describe a continuous and often accelerating increase or decrease.

1. Coil-shapedB1formal

   Having the shape of a continuous curve that winds around a central point or axis.

   en spirale

   • The staircase had a spiral design.
   • A spiral galaxy has a distinctive shape.
   • The artist drew a spiral pattern on the canvas.

   Synonymescoiledconvolutedcorkscrewhelicaltwistingvolutewhorledwinding

• Courbe qui s'enroule autour d'un point central ou d'un axe en s'en approchant ou en s'en éloignant progressivement, ou processus continu et souvent accéléré de changements.

A noun referring to a curve that winds around a central point or axis, getting progressively closer to or farther from it, or a continuous and often accelerating process of change.

1. Geometric curveB2formal

   A plane curve traced by a point circling around a center while moving away from it at a constant rate.

   Spirale (courbe géométrique)

   • The artist drew a perfect spiral on the canvas.
   • A spiral staircase winds around a central pole.
   • The galaxy has a beautiful spiral shape.

   Synonymescoilcurlvolutewhorl

2. Helical curveC1formal

   A curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant angle.

   Spirale (courbe hélicoïdale)

   • The DNA molecule has a double spiral structure.
   • The spring is made of a tightly wound spiral of metal.
   • The drill bit has a spiral groove to remove debris.

   Synonymescoilcorkscrewscrewtwist

3. Economic changeB2formal

   A continuously accelerating change in the economy, often referring to inflation or debt.

   Spirale économique

   • The country entered a deflationary spiral after the crisis.
   • Rising prices created a wage-price spiral.
   • The economy is stuck in a downward spiral of debt.

   Synonymesvicious circlevicious cycle

4. Decorative ornamentB2formalart

   An ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around a center with an increasing distance from the center.

   Ornement en spirale

   • The ancient vase was decorated with a gold spiral.
   • The building's facade features intricate spiral patterns.
   • The carpet had a spiral design in the center.

   Synonymesvolute

5. Coiled structureB1formal

   A structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops.

   spirale

   • The spiral of the seashell is perfectly formed.
   • The rope was coiled into a tight spiral.
   • The spring is a spiral of steel wire.

   Synonymescoilconvolutioncorkscrewcurltwistvolutewhorl

6. Flight pathC1formal

   Flying downward in a helical path with a large radius.

   spirale descendante

   • The eagle descended in a slow spiral.
   • The plane entered a spiral before crashing.
   • The hawk circled downward in a tight spiral.

   Synonymescorkscrewgyre

• Verbe désignant un mouvement en spirale ou une progression continue et souvent accélérée, à la hausse comme à la baisse.

A verb used to indicate a continuous and often accelerating increase or decrease, or a twisting, circular motion.

1. Move in a spiral courseB2formal

   To wind or move in a continuous, widening, or tightening circular path.

   Tournoyer en spirale

   • The smoke spiraled upward from the chimney.
   • The eagle spiraled down toward its prey.
   • The leaves spiraled in the autumn wind.

   Synonymescoilcurlgyrateswirltwirltwistwhirlwind

2. Form a spiral shapeB2formal

   To take on or create a shape that winds around a central point.

   former une spirale

   • The staircase spiraled elegantly up the tower.
   • The DNA molecule spirals into a double helix.
   • The vines spiraled around the old fence.

   Synonymescoilcurltwinetwistwindwreathe

3. Move in a zigzag or winding pathB2informal

   To move in a twisting, winding, or zigzagging course.

   se déplacer en spirale

   • The road spiraled up the steep mountain.
   • The car spiraled down the narrow alley.
   • The path spiraled through the dense forest.

   Synonymescoilcorkscrewcurlgyrateloopmeandersnaketwirltwistwhirlwind