<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>Geometry. a plane curve generated by a point moving around a fixed point while constantly receding from or approaching it.</li><li>a helix.</li><li>a single circle or ring of a spiral or helical curve or object.</li><li>a spiral or helical object, formation, or form.</li><li>Aeronautics. a maneuver in which an airplane descends in a helix of small pitch and large radius, with the angle of attack within that of the normal flight range.</li><li>Football. a type of kick or pass in which the ball turns on its longer axis as it flies through the air.</li><li>Economics. a continuous increase in costs, wages, prices, etc. inflationary spiral, or a decrease in costs, wages, prices, etc. deflationary spiral.</li></ul><p><strong>Adjective</strong></p><ul><li>running continuously around a fixed point or center while constantly receding from or approaching it; coiling in a single plane: a spiral curve.</li><li>coiling around a fixed line or axis in a constantly changing series of planes; helical.</li><li>of or of the nature of a spire or coil.</li><li>bound with a spiral binding; spiral-bound: a spiral notebook.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used without object) to take a spiral form or course.</li><li>to advance or increase steadily; rise: Costs have been spiraling all year.</li><li>Aeronautics. to fly an airplane through a spiral course.</li><li>(used with object) to cause to take a spiral form or course.</li></ul>