Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Coil?

\Coil\ (koil), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Coiled} (koild); p. pr. & vb. n. {Coiling}.] [OF. coillir, F. cueillir, to collect, gather together, L. coligere; col- + legere to gather. See {Legend}, and cf. {Cull}, v. t., {Collect}.] 1. To wind cylindrically or spirally; as, to coil a rope when not in use; the snake coiled itself before springing. 2. To encircle and hold with, or as with, coils. [Obs. or R.] --T. Edwards.
\Coil\, v. i. To wind itself cylindrically or spirally; to form a coil; to wind; -- often with about or around. You can see his flery serpents . . . Coiting, playing in the water. --Longfellow.
\Coil\, n. 1. A ring, series of rings, or spiral, into which a rope, or other like thing, is wound. The wild grapevines that twisted their coils from trec to tree. --W. Irving. 2. Fig.: Entanglement; toil; mesh; perplexity. 3. A series of connected pipes in rows or layers, as in a steam heating apparatus. {Induction coil}. (Elec.) See under {Induction}. {Ruhmkorff's coil} (Elec.), an induction coil, sometimes so called from Ruhmkorff, a prominent manufacturer of the apparatus.
\Coil\, n. [Of Celtic origin; cf. Gael. goil fume, rage.] A noise, tumult, bustle, or confusion. [Obs.] --Shak.