reel

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A shaky or unsteady gait.

   • Doubtless the present game of chess was developed through just such fiddling; perhaps someone once thought that the drunken reel of the knight was hostile to the essence of Chess.
2. 2

   A lively dance originating in Scotland.

   • So strict is the kirk of Scotland, that one minister was unfrocked for writing a play (in former times); and another was sent about his business for being too fond of whiskey and of dancing the reel of Tullochgorum.
3. 3

   The music of this dance

   The music of this dance; often called a Scottish (or Scotch) reel.

   • […]sample the famed waters from the Scottish mountains like a native born, and last but not least, play a reel on the bagpipes in the big hall that set all the laddies and lassies dancing.
   • The traditional reel Within a Mile of Dublin, for instance, distorts until it reaches something quasi-industrial.
4. ›+ 16 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A kind of spool, turning on an axis, on which yarn, threads, lines, or the like, are…

      A kind of spool, turning on an axis, on which yarn, threads, lines, or the like, are wound.

      • a log reel
      • an angler's reel
      • a garden reel
   2. 5

      A device consisting of radial arms with horizontal stats, connected with a harvesting…

      A device consisting of radial arms with horizontal stats, connected with a harvesting machine, for holding the stalks of grain in position to be cut by the knives.

   3. 6

      A short compilation of sample film work used as a demonstrative resume in the…

      A short compilation of sample film work used as a demonstrative resume in the entertainment industry.

   4. 7

      A chronological collection of pictures or short videos published by a user on an app or…

      A chronological collection of pictures or short videos published by a user on an app or website and typically only available for a short period.

   5. 8

      To wind on a reel.

   6. 9

      To spin or revolve repeatedly.

   7. 10

      To unwind

      To unwind; to bring or acquire something by spinning or winding something else.

      • He reeled off some tape from the roll and sealed the package.
   8. 11

      To walk shakily or unsteadily

      To walk shakily or unsteadily; to stagger; move as if drunk or not in control of oneself.

      • They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man.
      • He, with heavy fumes oppress'd, / Reel'd from the palace, and retired to rest.
      • the wagons reeling under the yellow sheaves
   9. 12

      To back off, step away, or sway backwards unsteadily and suddenly.

      • He reeled back from the punch.
      • Terry's fist lashed out, but Simpson, anticipating the blow, stepped quickly to one side. Another followed, however, and caught the older man fairly on the chin, sent him reeling back.
   10. 13

       To make or cause to reel.

   11. 14

       To have a whirling sensation

       To have a whirling sensation; to be giddy.

       • In these lengthened vigils his brain often reeled.
   12. 15

       To be in shock.

   13. 16

       To produce a mechanical insect-like song, as in grass warblers.

   14. 17

       To roll.

       • And Sisyphus an huge round stone did reele.
   15. 18

       To bring in or along.

       • Frank stood at the sink, and began washing the plates. He realised if he was going to reel his great-aunt into his plan, he was going to have to do it very gently.
   16. 19

       A surname.

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