wind2

 
Pronunciation: /wʌɪnd/

verb (past and past participle wound /waʊnd/)

  • 1 [no object, with adverbial of direction] move in or take a twisting or spiral course: the path wound among olive trees
  • 2 [with object and adverbial] pass (something) round a thing or person so as to encircle or enfold: he wound a towel around his midriff
  • repeatedly twist or coil (a length of something) round itself or a core: Anne wound the wool into a ball
  • [no object, with adverbial] be twisted or coiled in such a way: large vines wound round every tree
  • wrap or surround (a core) with a coiled length of something: devices wound with copper wire
  • 3 [with object] make (a clock or other device, typically one operated by clockwork) operate by turning a key or handle: he wound up the clock every Saturday night she was winding the gramophone
  • turn (a key or handle) repeatedly round and round: I wound the handle as fast as I could
  • 4 [with object and adverbial of direction] cause (an audio or video tape or a film) to move back or forwards to a desired point: I forgot how to wind the film on
  • 5 [with object and adverbial of direction] hoist or draw (something) with a windlass, winch, or similar device.

noun

  • 1a twist or turn in a course.
  • 2a single turn made when winding.

Phrasal Verbs

wind down

(of a mechanism, especially one operated by clockwork) gradually lose power.
informal (of a person) relax after stress or excitement: I sank into a hot bath in order to wind down
(also wind something down) draw or bring gradually to a close: business began to wind down as people awaited the new regime

wind up

informal
  • 1arrive or end up in a specified state, situation, or place: she wound up in hospital with pneumonia

wind someone up

  • 1British informal tease or irritate someone: she’s only winding me up
  • 2make tense or angry: he was clearly wound up and frantic about his daughter

wind something up

  • 1arrange the affairs of and dissolve a company: the company has since been wound up
  • 2gradually or finally bring an activity to a conclusion: the experiments had to be wound up because the funding stopped
  • 3 informal increase the tension, intensity, or power of something: he wound up the engine

Origin:

Old English windan 'go rapidly', 'twine', of Germanic origin; related to wander and wend