coiling means the pattern or motion of something that coils. It carries an Arena rating of 1420, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, coiling ranks #744 of 17,142 for Most Ingenious Words, #3,656 of 17,126 for Most Elegant Words, #4,660 of 17,127 for Most Vivid Words, #7,382 of 17,149 for Most Exacting Words.
coiling is pronounced /ˈkɔɪlɪŋ/.
Why “coiling” is a great word
The act or pattern of forming something into a series of loops or spirals, or the process of fitting a ship with electromagnetic coils for degaussing. From the verb 'coil', of uncertain origin, possibly from Middle French 'coillir' (to gather, collect) or from a Germanic source; the noun form meaning the action or pattern dates from the 18th century. Unlike 'spiraling,' which implies a continuous, widening or narrowing curve around an axis, or 'winding,' which suggests a more general, often irregular twisting, coiling describes the deliberate creation of tight, concentric rings or a regular helical form. It is the rattlesnake gathered in perfect readiness upon hot stone, the heavy rope laid in careful circles on a dock, and the precise loop of copper wire that can make a ship invisible to a mine—a geometry of tension held in patient, potential release.
noun
- The pattern or motion of something that coils.
- The process of fitting a ship with electromagnetic coils, so that it can be degaussed while travelling.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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