spindle
spindle Lexical Profile
spindle Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A straight, typically cylindrical pin or rod on which something turns, or which serves as a central axis for rotating parts.
"The mechanic had to replace the damaged spindle on the front axle of the tractor."
A slender, rounded rod with tapered ends used in traditional hand-spinning to twist and wind thread from a mass of wool or flax.
"She learned to spin sheep's wool into strong yarn using a wooden drop spindle."
A network of microtubules that forms during cell division to organize and separate sister chromatids between daughter cells.
"During anaphase, the mitotic spindle pulls the chromosomes toward opposite poles of the dividing cell."
• verb
To impale or file a piece of paper by pressing it onto a pointed metal spike.
"The diner cook would spindle each order ticket as soon as the meal was prepared and plated."
To grow tall, slender, and often disproportionately weak, typically due to a lack of light or proper nutrients.
"Without adequate sunlight in the greenhouse, the tomato seedlings began to spindle and eventually fell over."
• Rhymes for spindle
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'spinel', derived from the Germanic base of 'spin' with the instrumental suffix '-el'. The 'd' was added later in Middle English through phonetic epenthesis.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.