coil
    n 1: a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous
         series of loops; "a coil of rope" [syn: coil, spiral,
         volute, whorl, helix]
    2: a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as
       formed by leaves or flower petals) [syn: coil, whorl,
       roll, curl, curlicue, ringlet, gyre, scroll]
    3: a transformer that supplies high voltage to spark plugs in a
       gasoline engine
    4: a contraceptive device placed inside a woman's womb
    5: tubing that is wound in a spiral
    6: reactor consisting of a spiral of insulated wire that
       introduces inductance into a circuit
    v 1: to wind or move in a spiral course; "the muscles and nerves
         of his fine drawn body were coiling for action"; "black
         smoke coiling up into the sky"; "the young people gyrated
         on the dance floor" [syn: gyrate, spiral, coil]
    2: make without a potter's wheel; "This famous potter hand-
       builds all of her vessels" [syn: handbuild, hand-build,
       coil]
    3: wind around something in coils or loops [syn: coil, loop,
       curl] [ant: uncoil]

Coil \Coil\ (koil), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coiled (koild); p. pr.
   & vb. n. Coiling.] [OF. coillir, F. cueillir, to collect,
   gather together, L. coligere; col- + legere to gather. See
   Legend, and cf. Cull, v. t., Collect.]
   1. To wind cylindrically or spirally; as, to coil a rope when
      not in use; the snake coiled itself before springing.
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   2. To encircle and hold with, or as with, coils. [Obs. or R.]
      --T. Edwards.
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Coil \Coil\, v. i.
   To wind itself cylindrically or spirally; to form a coil; to
   wind; -- often with about or around.
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         You can see his flery serpents . . .
         Coiting, playing in the water.           --Longfellow.
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Coil \Coil\, n.
   1. A ring, series of rings, or spiral, into which a rope, or
      other like thing, is wound.
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            The wild grapevines that twisted their coils from
            trec to tree.                         --W. Irving.
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   2. Fig.: Entanglement; toil; mesh; perplexity.
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   3. A series of connected pipes in rows or layers, as in a
      steam heating apparatus.
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   Induction coil. (Elec.) See under Induction.

   Ruhmkorff's coil (Elec.), an induction coil, sometimes so
      called from Ruhmkorff, a prominent manufacturer of the
      apparatus.
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Coil \Coil\, n. [Of Celtic origin; cf. Gael. goil fume, rage.]
   A noise, tumult, bustle, or confusion. [Obs.] --Shak.
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