From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
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]