GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 4 definitions

1.       
   Coil , 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.]
   To wind cylindrically or spirally; as, to coil a rope when not in use; the snake coiled itself before springing.
   1913 Webster
   To encircle and hold with, or as with, coils. [Obs. or R.]
   T. Edwards.
   
   1913 Webster
         
       

2.       
   Coil, v. i. To wind itself cylindrically or spirally; to form a coil; to wind; -- often with about or around.
   1913 Webster
   You can see his flery serpents . . . 
   Coiting, playing in the water.
   Longfellow.
   
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

3.       
   Coil, n.
   A ring, series of rings, or spiral, into which a rope, or other like thing, is wound.
   1913 Webster
   The wild grapevines that twisted their coils from trec to tree.
   W. Irving.
   
   1913 Webster
   Fig.: Entanglement; toil; mesh; perplexity.
   1913 Webster
   A series of connected pipes in rows or layers, as in a steam heating apparatus.
   1913 Webster
   Induction coil. (Elec.) See under Induction. -- Ruhmkorff's coil (Elec.), an induction coil, sometimes so called from Ruhmkorff , a prominent manufacturer of the apparatus.
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

4.       
   Coil, n. [Of Celtic origin; cf. Gael. goil fume, rage.] A noise, tumult, bustle, or confusion. [Obs.]
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster