spin

[[t]spɪ̱n[/t]]

♦♦♦

spins, spinning, spun

1) V-ERG If something spins or if you spin it, it turns quickly around a central point.

The latest discs, used for small portable computers, spin 3600 times a minute...

The Earth spins on its own axis...

[V n] He spun the wheel sharply and made a U turn in the middle of the road...

[V n round/around] He spun his car round and went after them.

N-VAR

Spin is also a noun.

This driving mode allows you to move off in third gear to reduce wheel-spin in icy conditions.

2) VERB When you spin washing, it is turned round and round quickly in a spin drier or a washing machine to get the water out.

[V n] Just spin the washing and it's nearly dry.

N-SING

Spin is also a noun.

Set on a cool wash and finish with a short spin.

3) VERB If your head is spinning, you feel unsteady or confused, for example because you are drunk, ill, or excited.

My head was spinning from the wine...

All those figures make my poor head spin.

4) N-SING: with supp If someone puts a certain spin on an event or situation, they interpret it and try to present it in a particular way. [INFORMAL]

→ See also spin doctor

He interpreted the vote as support for the constitution and that is the spin his supporters are putting on the results today.

...the wholly improper political spin given to the report, particularly by The New York Times.

5) N-SING: a N If you go for a spin or take a car for a spin, you make a short journey in a car just to enjoy yourself.

6) VERB If someone spins a story, they give you an account of something that is untrue or only partly true.

[V n] He was surprised, and annoyed that she had spun a story which was too good to be condemned as a simple lie. [Also V n n]

7) VERB When people spin, they make thread by twisting together pieces of a fibre such as wool or cotton using a device or machine.

[V n] Michelle will also spin a customer's wool fleece to specification at a cost of $2.25 an ounce. [Also V]

Derived words:

spinning N-UNCOUNT

They do their own cooking, spinning, and woodworking.

8) N-SING: a N If a plane goes into a spin, it falls very rapidly towards the ground in a spiral movement.

9) N-UNCOUNT In a game such as tennis or cricket, if you put spin on a ball, you deliberately make it spin rapidly when you hit it or throw it.

10) PHRASE: v-link PHR If you say that someone is in a spin or in a flat spin, you mean that they are confused and unable to act sensibly because of something that has happened. [BRIT, INFORMAL]

Poor Jane was in rather a spin about the party.

Phrasal Verbs:

- spin out

Syn:

in a flap