Coil

Part of speech: verb, noun

Pronunciation: /kɔɪl/

Definitions

1. A spiral or ring formed by winding something in a continuous curve, or to wind into such a shape
2. A structure consisting of a series of loops or spirals formed by twisting or winding material, or the act of forming such a structure through winding
3. An arrangement characterized by circular or spiral shapes created by winding around a central axis or the process of creating this shape by winding

Etymology: The verb "coil" comes from a Latin verb meaning "to gather together," colligere, built from com- ("together") and legere ("to gather"), the same root behind "legend." Its descendant "coillir" in Old French meant "to gather, pluck, pick, cull," which is why "coil" is a doublet of "cull": both came into English from the same French source, but "cull" kept the sense of selecting and picking, while "coil" drifted toward gathering things up into loops. The sense of winding came in through Middle English "coilen," which kept the idea of bringing things together, now in a loose, spiralling heap. Winding a rope or a snake into a ring is still a way of gathering it. The noun for a spiral of rope or wire followed the same path, and the phrase "helical or coil springs" shows the word's most common modern use, a spring wound into a tight helix.

Synonyms: twist, loop, curl, spiral, twine

Antonyms: straighten, uncoil