coil1

Syllabification: (coil)

Pronunciation: /koil/

Definition of coil

a length of something wound or arranged in a spiral or sequence of rings:a coil of rope
a single ring or loop in a length of coil:the snake wrapped its coils around her
a roll of postage stamps, especially one for use in a vending machine.
a slow-burning spiral made with the dried paste of pyrethrum powder, which produces a smoke that inhibits mosquitoes from biting.
(often the coil) an intrauterine contraceptive device in the form of a coil.
an electrical device consisting of a length of wire arranged in a coil for converting the level of a voltage, producing a magnetic field, or adding inductance to a circuit:a relay coil
an electrical coil used for transmitting high voltage to the spark plugs of an internal combustion engine.

[with object]

arrange or wind (something long and flexible) in a joined sequence of concentric circles or rings:he began to coil up the heavy ropes he coiled a lock of her hair around his finger
[no object] move or twist into a coil:smoke coiled lazily toward the ceiling

Origin:

early 16th century (as a verb): from Old French coillir, from Latin colligere 'gather together' (see collect¹)

Definition of coil in the British & World English dictionary