spindle

spindle [spin′dəl]

n.

[ME (with intrusive -d-) < OE spinel < spinnan, to SPIN]

1. a slender rod or pin used in spinning; specif.,

a) in hand spinning, a rounded rod, usually wooden, tapering toward each end, for twisting into thread the fibers pulled from the material on the distaff, and notched at one end so as to hold the thread: see DISTAFF

b) on a spinning wheel, the rod by which the thread is twisted and on which it is then wound

c) in a spinning machine, any of the rods holding the bobbins on which the spun thread is wound

2. a measure for yarn, equal to 14,400 yards in linen or 15,120 yards in cotton

3. the spindle-shaped bundle of nuclear fibers formed during one stage of mitosis

4. a short turned piece or decorative rod, as in a baluster, the back of some chairs, etc.

5. any rod, pin, or shaft that revolves or serves as an axis for a revolving part, as an axle, arbor, or mandrel

6. in a lathe, a shaftlike part (live spindle) that rotates while holding the thing to be turned, or a similar part (dead spindle) that does not rotate

7. the small, square shaft passing through a door lock, to which the doorknobs are attached

☆ 8. a metal spike on a base, on which papers are impaled for temporary filing: also spindle file

9. HYDROMETER

10. Naut. a metal rod or pipe with a lantern, ball, etc. at its top, fastened to a rock, shoal, or the like as a warning to vessels

adj.

of or like a spindle or spindles

vi.

spindled, spindling

1. to grow in a long, slender shape

2. to grow into a long, slender stalk or stem

vt.

1. to form into a spindle

2. to fit or equip with a spindle

☆ 3. to impale (papers, etc.) on a SPINDLE (sense 8)