Word
spindle
Phoneticsspin·dle, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈspɪndəɫ/
UK/spˈɪndəl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a thin rod or pin that turns around to hold something, like thread on a sewing machine or a spinning disk.
n. a slender, tapered rod or pin that rotates to twist and wind thread, or serves as an axis for a revolving part.
Examples
“The thread winds around the wooden spindle.”
“In the factory, the high-speed spindle rotates thousands of times per minute to ensure the metal is cut precisely.”
“During cell division, the mitotic spindle forms a structure of microtubules that orchestrates the accurate segregation of chromosomes into daughter cells.”
Examples
simple
“The thread winds around the wooden spindle.”
contextual
“In the factory, the high-speed spindle rotates thousands of times per minute to ensure the metal is cut precisely.”
complex
“During cell division, the mitotic spindle forms a structure of microtubules that orchestrates the accurate segregation of chromosomes into daughter cells.”
Usage
Commonly used in mechanical, textile, and biological contexts to describe any rotating axis.
Real-World Examples
“It is responsible for clustering mitotic spindles, threadlike structures needed to separate genetic material.” “Known as magnetofossils, the microscopic structures come in shapes resembling spearheads, spindles, bullets, and needles.” Etymology
From Middle English spyndel, spindle, spyndylle, from Old English spindle, spindel, alteration of earlier spinel, spinil, spinl (“spindle”), from Proto-West Germanic *spinnilu (“spindle”), equivalent to spin + -le. Cognate with Scots spindil, spinnell (“spindle”), Dutch spindel ("spindle"; < Middle Dutch spille, spinle), German Spindel (“spindle”), Danish spindel (“spindle”), Swedish spindel (“spindle”). The dragonfly sense (noun sense 14) is a calque of Swedish slända (dragonfly/spindle); this word was introduced by New Sweden settlers.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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