ˈspɪndl n. & v. --n. 1 a a
pin in a spinning-wheel used
for twisting
and winding the thread. b a
small bar
with tapered ends used for the
same purpose in hand-spinning. c a pin
bearing the
bobbin of a spinning-machine. 2 a pin or axis
that revolves or on
which something revolves. 3 a turned
piece of
wood used as a
banister,
chair leg, etc. 4 Biol. a spindle-shaped mass of microtubules formed
when a
cell divides. 5 a varying
measure of
length for
yarn. 6 a
slender person or
thing. --v.intr.
have, or
grow into, a long slender
form. øspindle
berry the
fruit of the spindle
tree. spindle-shanked having long
thin legs. spindle-shanks a person with
such legs. spindle-shaped having a
circular cross-section and tapering
towards each end. spindle
side =
distaff side. spindle tree
any shrub or small tree of the
genus Euonymus,
esp. E. europaeus with greenish-white flowers,
pink or
red berries, and
hard wood used for spindles. [OE
spinel (as SPIN)]
