- swivel
- \ \ see SWIFT
Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
swivel
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Swivel — Swiv el, n. [AS. sw[=i]fan to move quickly, to remove; akin to Icel. sveifla to whirl, shake, sv[=i]fa to ramble, to turn. See {Swoop}, and cf. {Swift} a reel, {Swift}, a.] 1. (Mech.) A piece, as a ring or hook, attached to another piece by a pin … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
swivel — [swiv′əl] n. [ME swiuel < base of OE swifan, to revolve, turn: for IE base see SWIFT] a coupling device that allows free turning of the parts attached to it; specif., a chain link made in two parts, one piece fitting like a collar below the… … English World dictionary
swivel — (n.) c.1300, from frequentative form of stem of O.E. verb swifan to move in a course, sweep (a class I strong verb), from P.Gmc. *swipanan (Cf. O.Fris. swiva to be uncertain, O.N. svifa to rove, ramble, drift ), from PIE root *swei swing, bend,… … Etymology dictionary
swivel — ► NOUN ▪ a coupling between two parts enabling one to revolve without turning the other. ► VERB (swivelled, swivelling; US swiveled, swiveling) ▪ turn on or as if on a swivel. ORIGIN Old English, «move (along a course), sweep» … English terms dictionary
Swivel — Swiv el, v. i. To swing or turn, as on a pin or pivot. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
swivel — The verb has inflected forms swivelled, swivelling in BrE, and in AmE usually swiveled, swiveling … Modern English usage
swivel — [v] spin around axis hinge, pirouette, pivot, revolve, rotate, swing around, turn, whirl; concept 145 … New thesaurus
swivel — I UK [ˈswɪv(ə)l] / US verb [intransitive/transitive] Word forms swivel : present tense I/you/we/they swivel he/she/it swivels present participle swivelling past tense swivelled past participle swivelled swivel or swivel around or swivel round if… … English dictionary
Swivel — A swivel is a connection that allows the connected object, such as a gun or chair to rotate horizontally and/or vertically. A common design for a swivel is a cylindrical rod that can turn freely within a support structure. The rod is usually… … Wikipedia
swivel — swiv|el1 [ swıvl ] (present participle swiv|el|ing or swiv|el|ling; past tense and past participle swiv|eled or swiv|elled) verb intransitive or transitive swivel or swivel around or swivel round if someone or something swivels or you swivel them … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
swivel — swivellike, adj. /swiv euhl/, n., v., swiveled, swiveling or (esp. Brit.) swivelled, swivelling. n. 1. a fastening device that allows the thing fastened to turn around freely upon it, esp. to turn in a full circle. 2. such a device consisting of… … Universalium
