Collins English-English Dictionary

spin [spɪn]

1. 1. vt. [tr] spin-dry to rotate (clothes) in a washing machine in order to extract surplus water

2. 2. n a quantum number determining values of this angular momentum in units of the Dirac constant, having integral or half-integral values S

3. 3. vb to rotate or cause to rotate rapidly, as on an axis

4. 4. vb to draw out and twist (natural fibres, as of silk or cotton) into a long continuous thread

5. 5. vb to make such a thread or filament from (synthetic resins, etc), usually by forcing through a nozzle

6. 6. vb (of spiders, silkworms, etc) to form (webs, cocoons, etc) from a silky fibre exuded from the body

7. 7. vt. [tr] to shape (metal) into a rounded form on a lathe

8. 8. vt. [tr] [Spoken] to tell (a tale, story, etc) by drawing it out at great length (esp in the phrase spin a yarn)

9. 9. vt. to bowl, pitch, hit, or kick (a ball) so that it rotates in the air and changes direction or speed on bouncing, or (of a ball) to be projected in this way

10. 10. vi. [intr] (of wheels) to revolve rapidly without causing propulsion

11. 11. vi. to cause (an aircraft) to dive in a spiral descent or (of an aircraft) to dive in a spiral descent

12. 12. vi. [intr; foll by along] to drive or travel swiftly

13. 13. vi. [intr] to reel or grow dizzy, as from turning around

    my head is spinning

14. 14. vi. [intr] to fish by drawing a revolving lure through the water

15. 15. vi. [intr] [Spoken] to present news or information in a way that creates a favourable impression

16. 16. n a swift rotating motion; instance of spinning

17. 17. n [Physics] the intrinsic angular momentum of an elementary particle or atomic nucleus, as distinguished from any angular momentum resulting from its motion

18. 18. n a condition of loss of control of an aircraft or an intentional flight manoeuvre in which the aircraft performs a continuous spiral descent because the angle of maximum lift is less than the angle of incidence

19. 19. n a spinning motion imparted to a ball, etc

20. 20. n (in skating) any of various movements involving spinning rapidly on the spot

21. 21. n [Spoken] a short or fast drive, ride, etc, esp in a car, for pleasure

22. 22. n [Austral and NZ] [Spoken] a period of time or an experience; chance or luck; fortune

    a bad spin

23. 23. n [commerce] [Spoken] a sudden downward trend in prices, values, etc

24. 24. n [Spoken] the practice of presenting news or information in a way that creates a favourable impression

25. 25. n See also spin off spin out

26. 26. n [Etymology] Old English spinnan; related to Old Norse spinna, Old High German spinnan to spin, Lithuanian pinu to braid