Word
swivel
Phoneticsswiv·el
US/ˈswɪvəɫ/
UK/swˈɪvəl/
Definition
n. a small, sharp hook used in fishing to catch fish like carp. It is also a slang word for a small, sharp knife used by soldiers to cut things like ropes or wire.
n. a small, sharp hook used in carp fishing; also a slang term for a small, sharp knife carried by military personnel. Often used in the phrase 'to swivel' to describe the act of cutting with such a tool.
Examples
“He used a swivel to catch the carp in the lake.”
“The soldier kept a swivel in his pocket to cut through the thick vines blocking the path.”
“While the primary function of the swivel is to secure the line, it is also a vital piece of equipment for any carp angler looking to manage heavy weights and tangled knots.”
Examples
simple
“He used a swivel to catch the carp in the lake.”
contextual
“The soldier kept a swivel in his pocket to cut through the thick vines blocking the path.”
complex
“While the primary function of the swivel is to secure the line, it is also a vital piece of equipment for any carp angler looking to manage heavy weights and tangled knots.”
Real-World Examples
“There are many delightful details: Owl sleeps with an eye mask, over his horn-rimmed glasses, and swivels it around to become a sporty headband.” “Diver Kevin Carrigan has dubbed the team’s preferred excavation method the “Queen Elizabeth” because it mimics the late British monarch’s signature wave , a firm palm smoothly swiveling from side to side.” Etymology
From Middle English swyvel, swivel, from a derivative of Old English swīfan (“to revolve”), + -el, an instrumental suffix, equivalent to swive + -el.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
keep one's head on a swivel — To be on the alert, to be watchful.
Domains
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/swivel