spiral

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

ruОписывает что-то, имеющее извилистую, круговую форму, похожую на спираль; также используется в переносном смысле для описания непрерывного и часто ускоряющегося увеличения или уменьшения.esDescribe algo que tiene forma de espiral, es decir, curva que gira alrededor de un punto central alejándose o acercándose progresivamente; también se usa en sentido figurado para referirse a un aumento o disminución continuo y a menudo acelerado.frQualifie 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.deBeschreibt etwas, das eine gewundene, kreisförmige Form hat, die einer Spirale ähnelt; wird auch im übertragenen Sinne für eine kontinuierliche und oft sich beschleunigende Zunahme oder Abnahme verwendet.ptDescreve algo que tem forma sinuosa, circular ou helicoidal, semelhante a uma espiral; também é usado em sentido figurado para descrever um aumento ou diminuição contínua e frequentemente acelerada.zh形容具有螺旋或盘旋形状的事物；也用于比喻持续且常常加速的上升或下降过程。arيصف شيئًا ذا شكل حلزوني أو لولبي أو دائري متداخل؛ ويُستخدم مجازًا لوصف تزايد أو تناقص مستمر وغالبًا متسارع.

1. Coil-shaped B1 formal

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

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

   ruСпиралевидныйesespiralfren spiraledeSpiralförmigptEspiraladozh螺旋形的arحلزوني

   Synonymes: coiledconvolutedcorkscrewhelicaltwistingvolutewhorledwinding

• more spiral comparative form
• most spiral superlative form

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.

ruСуществительное, обозначающее кривую, которая закручивается вокруг центральной точки или оси, постепенно приближаясь к ней или удаляясь от неё, или непрерывный и часто ускоряющийся процесс изменений.esSustantivo que designa una curva que se enrolla alrededor de un punto central o de un eje, acercándose o alejándose gradualmente de él, o un proceso continuo y a menudo acelerado de cambios.frCourbe 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.deSubstantiv, das eine Kurve bezeichnet, die sich um einen Mittelpunkt oder eine Achse windet und sich diesem dabei allmählich nähert oder von ihm entfernt; auch ein fortlaufender und oft sich beschleunigender Prozess der Veränderung.ptSubstantivo que designa uma curva que gira em torno de um ponto ou eixo central, aproximando-se ou afastando-se dele gradualmente, ou um processo contínuo e frequentemente acelerado de mudanças.zh指围绕中心点或轴旋转并逐渐靠近或远离的曲线；也指持续且常加速的变化过程。arاسم يدل على منحنى يلتف حول نقطة مركزية أو محور، مقتربًا منه أو مبتعدًا عنه تدريجيًا، أو على عملية تغيّر مستمرة وغالبًا متسارعة.

1. Geometric curve B2 formal

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

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

   ruСпиральesEspiral (curva geométrica)frSpirale (courbe géométrique)deSpiraleptEspiralzh螺线arالحلزون

   Synonymes: coilcurlvolutewhorl

2. Helical curve C1 formal

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

   • 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.

   ruСпиральesEspiral helicoidalfrSpirale (courbe hélicoïdale)deSpiraleptHélicezh螺旋arحلزون

   Synonymes: coilcorkscrewscrewtwist

3. Economic change B2 formal

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

   • 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.

   ruЭкономическое изменениеesEspiral económicafrSpirale économiquedeWirtschaftliche VeränderungptMudança econômicazh经济螺旋arتغير اقتصادي حلزوني

   Synonymes: vicious circlevicious cycle

4. Decorative ornament B2 formal art

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

   • 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.

   ruСпиральesEspiral decorativafrOrnement en spiraledeSpiraleptEspiralzh螺旋arحلزون زخرفي

   Synonymes: volute

5. Coiled structure B1 formal

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

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

   ruСпиральesEspiral (estructura enrollada)frspiraledeSpiraleptEspiralzh螺旋arحَلَزون

   Synonymes: coilconvolutioncorkscrewcurltwistvolutewhorl

6. Flight path C1 formal

   Flying downward in a helical path with a large radius.

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

   ruСпиральesEspiral de descensofrspirale descendantedeSpiraleptEspiralzh螺旋arحلزون هبوطي

   Synonymes: corkscrewgyre

• spirals plural form
• spirals' possessive plural form
• spiral's possessive singular form

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

ruГлагол, используемый для обозначения непрерывного и часто ускоряющегося увеличения или уменьшения, или скручивающегося, кругового движения.esVerbo que denota un movimiento continuo en forma de espiral o círculo, o un aumento o disminución progresivo y a menudo acelerado.frVerbe désignant un mouvement en spirale ou une progression continue et souvent accélérée, à la hausse comme à la baisse.deVerb, das eine stetige und oft beschleunigte Zu- oder Abnahme bezeichnet oder eine schrauben- bzw. kreisförmige Bewegung beschreibt.ptVerbo usado para indicar um aumento ou diminuição contínua e frequentemente acelerada, ou um movimento em espiral, circular ou enrolado.zh动词，表示沿螺旋或盘旋路径运动，也指数量、局势等持续且往往加速地上升或下降。arفعل يُستخدم للدلالة على الحركة الحلزونية أو الدورانية، أو على التزايد أو التناقص المستمر والمتسارع في شيء ما.

1. Move in a spiral course B2 formal

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

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

   ruСпирально двигатьсяesespiralarfrTournoyer en spiraledesich spiralförmig bewegenptMover-se em espiralzh螺旋运动arالتحرك بشكل حلزوني

   Synonymes: coilcurlgyrateswirltwirltwistwhirlwind

2. Form a spiral shape B2 formal

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

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

   ruОбразовывать спиральesFormar una espiralfrformer une spiraledeEine Spirale bildenptFormar uma espiralzh形成螺旋形arيأخذ شكلًا حلزونيًا

   Synonymes: coilcurltwinetwistwindwreathe

3. Move in a zigzag or winding path B2 informal

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

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

   ruИзвиватьсяesMoverse en espiralfrse déplacer en spiraledeSich windenptSerpentearzh盘旋arالتعرج

   Synonymes: coilcorkscrewcurlgyrateloopmeandersnaketwirltwistwhirlwind

• spiraled past participle
• spiralled past participle
• spiraled past simple
• spiralled past simple
• spiraling present participle
• spiralling present participle
• spirals third person singular