reel

noun

• 1a cylinder on which film, wire, thread, or other flexible materials can be wound:a cotton reel
• a length of something wound on to a reel:a reel of copper wire
• a part of a film:in the final reel he is transformed from unhinged sociopath into local hero

• 2a lively Scottish or Irish folk dance: we put on the record player and danced reels an eightsome reel
• a piece of music for a reel, typically in simple or duple time.

verb

• 1 [with object] (reel something in) wind something on to a reel by turning the reel: sailplanes are often launched by means of a wire reeled in by a winch
• bring in a fish attached to a line by turning a reel and winding in the line:he reeled in a good perch

• 2 [no object] lose one’s balance and stagger or lurch violently:he punched Connolly in the ear, sending him reeling she reeled back against the van
• [with adverbial of direction] walk in a staggering or lurching manner, especially while drunk:the two reeled out of the bar arm in arm
• feel shocked, bewildered, or giddy:the Prime Minister was reeling from a savaging inflicted in the Commons the alcohol made my head reel

• 3 [no object] dance a reel.