1 [no object] move in or take a twisting or spiral course:the path wound among olive trees
2 [with object] pass (something) around 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) around itself or a core:Anne wound the wool into a ball
[no object] be repeatedly twisted or coiled:large vines wound around 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 nightshe was winding the gramophone
turn (a key or handle) repeatedly around and around:I wound the handle as fast as I could
cause (an audio or videotape or a film) to move back or forward to a desired point:wind your tape back and listen to make sure everything is okay
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.
(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:Kevin winds up in New York
2another way of saying wind something up.he wound up by attacking Nonconformists
3 Baseball (of a pitcher) use the windup delivery.
wind someone up
1 (usually be wound up) make tense or angry:he was clearly wound up and frantic about his daughter
2British informal tease or irritate someone:she’s only winding me up
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 Englishwindan 'go rapidly', 'twine', of Germanic origin; related to wander and wend
