reel

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♦ reel /r'iːl/ (reels reeling reeled)
1 [N-COUNT] oft N of n
A reel is a cylindrical object around which you wrap something such as cinema film, magnetic tape, fishing line, or cotton thread. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use spool)
...a 30m reel of cable.
2 [VERB] V, V adv/prep
If someone reels, they move about in an unsteady way as if they are going to fall.
He was reeling a little. He must be very drunk...
He lost his balance and reeled back...
3 [VERB] usu cont, V from n, V prep
If you are reeling from a shock, you are feeling extremely surprised or upset because of it.
I'm still reeling from the shock of hearing of it...
It left us reeling with disbelief.
4 [VERB] V
If you say that your brain or your mind is reeling, you mean that you are very confused because you have too many things to think about.
His mind reeled at the question.reel in
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you reel in something such as a fish, you pull it towards you by winding around a reel the wire or line that it is attached to.
Gleacher reeled in the first fish...reel off
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you reel off information, you repeat it from memory quickly and easily.
She reeled off the titles of a dozen or so of the novels.

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