spiral

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spi|ral /sp'aɪ'ərəl/ (spirals spiralling spiralled)
in AM, use spiraling, spiraled
1 [N-COUNT]
A spiral is a shape which winds round and round, with each curve above or outside the previous one.
[ADJ] ADJ n
Spiral is also an adjective.
...a spiral staircase.
2 [VERB] V adv/prep, V n, also V
If something spirals or is spiralled somewhere, it grows or moves in a spiral curve.
Vines spiraled upward toward the roof...
A joss stick spiralled smoke.
[N-COUNT]
Spiral is also a noun.
Larks were rising in spirals from the ridge.
3 [VERB] V, V -ing, V adv/prep
If an amount or level spirals, it rises quickly and at an increasing rate.
Production costs began to spiral.
...a spiralling trend of violence...
The divorce rate is spiralling upwards.
[N-SING] with supp
Spiral is also a noun.
...an inflationary spiral.
...a spiral of debt.
4 [VERB] V adv/prep
If an amount or level spirals downwards, it falls quickly and at an increasing rate.
House prices will continue to spiral downwards.

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