See Also: spiral 1, noun(dictionary)
spiral(4)(dictionary)
spiral(1)(dictionary)
spiral(2)(dictionary)
spiral(3)(dictionary)
spiral CT(medicine)
Spiral(medicine)
spiral groove(medicine)
spiral septum(medicine)
spiral plate(medicine)

spiral 1, noun (oh)



[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: spiralis (adjective), from Latin spira 'coil']
a line in the form of a curve that winds around a central point, moving further away from the centre all the time
a process, usually a harmful one, in which something gradually but continuously gets worse or better
in/into a spiral
::Unemployment rose and the city went into a spiral of decline.
downward/upward spiral
::The company is in a downward spiral.
inflationary spiral
a situation in which wages and prices rise continuously because the level of inflation is high
-- spiral adj