GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Spin , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spun  (Archaic imp. Span ); p. pr. & vb. n. Spinning.] [AS. spinnan; akin to D. & G. spinnen, Icel. & Sw. spinna, Dan. spinde, Goth. spinnan, and probably to E. span. √170. Cf. Span, v. t., Spider.]
   To draw out, and twist into threads, either by the hand or machinery; as, to spin wool, cotton, or flax; to spin goat's hair; to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous material.
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   All the yarn she [Penelope] spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths.
   Shak.
   
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   To draw out tediously; to form by a slow process, or by degrees; to extend to a great length; -- with out; as, to spin out large volumes on a subject.
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   Do you mean that story is tediously spun out?
   Sheridan.
   
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   To protract; to spend by delays; as, to spin out the day in idleness.
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   By one delay after another they spin out their whole lives.
   L'Estrange.
   
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   To cause to turn round rapidly; to whirl; to twirl; as, to spin a top.
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   To form (a web, a cocoon, silk, or the like) from threads produced by the extrusion of a viscid, transparent liquid, which hardens on coming into contact with the air; -- said of the spider, the silkworm, etc.
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   (Mech.) To shape, as malleable sheet metal, into a hollow form, by bending or buckling it by pressing against it with a smooth hand tool or roller while the metal revolves, as in a lathe.
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   To spin a yarn (Naut.), to tell a story, esp. a long or fabulous tale. -- To spin hay (Mil.), to twist it into ropes for convenient carriage on an expedition. -- To spin street yarn, to gad about gossiping. [Collog.]
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2.       
   Spinning , a. & n. from Spin.
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   Spinning gland (Zool.), one of the glands which form the material for spinning the silk of silkworms and other larvae. -- Spinning house, formerly a common name for a house of correction in England, the women confined therein being employed in spinning. -- Spinning jenny (Mach.), an engine or machine for spinning wool or cotton, by means of a large number of spindles revolving simultaneously. -- Spinning mite (Zool.), the red spider. -- Spinning wheel, a machine for spinning yarn or thread, in which a wheel drives a single spindle, and is itself driven by the hand, or by the foot acting on a treadle.
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