coiling
Forming tight loops
Coiling describes the action of winding into loops or spirals.
A snake coiling prepares to strike; rope coiling makes it easy to store.
The word captures both the process and the resulting shape: Steam coiling from the cup, She sat coiling her hair around one finger.
Things that coil wrap around themselves or around something else.
Curving repeatedly, sinuous
- wrappingOuter covering material
- loopingMoving in circles
- spoolingTemporary data staging
- cableHeavy-duty woven line
wire · hose · lasso · rigging · mooring · knot · bight · hawser
Spiraling three-dimensional curve
- whorlSpiral arrangement of ridges
- curlSpiral or loop form
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- loopCurve closing on itself
scroll · volute · corkscrew · snail shell · tendril · fiddlehead · nautilus · ammonite
Limbless scaled reptile
- pythonNonvenomous squeezing snake
- anacondaMassive constricting serpent
- cobraHooded venomous serpent
- boaSqueeze-killer or neckwear
viper · constrictor · slither · scales · rattlesnake · mamba · adder · asp
Forcing into smaller space
- tensionStretched or strained state
- recoilBackward force from discharge
- bounceSpring back after impact
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
slinky · mattress · clockwork · suspension · torsion · mechanical · watchmaking · mainspring
Making less loose
- constrictingMaking narrower by pressure
- squeezingPressing inward firmly
- clenchingSqueezing tightly shut
- contractingReducing in volume
gripping · strangling · suffocating · pressure · stress · strain · restraint · wound up
winding
Curving repeatedly, sinuous
cable · wire · hose · lasso · rigging · mooring · knot · bight · hawser · lanyard
helix
Spiraling three-dimensional curve
loop · scroll · volute · corkscrew · snail shell · tendril · fiddlehead · nautilus · ammonite · vine
snake
Limbless scaled reptile
boa · viper · constrictor · slither · scales · rattlesnake · mamba · adder · asp · sidewinder
compression
Forcing into smaller space
elasticity · slinky · mattress · clockwork · suspension · torsion · mechanical · watchmaking · mainspring · contraction
tightening
Making less loose
- constrictingMaking narrower by pressure
- squeezingPressing inward firmly
- clenchingSqueezing tightly shut
contracting · gripping · strangling · suffocating · pressure · stress · strain · restraint · wound up
- movementwalk, move, go, run, jump
- ceramicspottery, porcelain, cup, bowl, plate
- potterypot, pottery, clay pottery, throwing, ceramic vase
- body movementsflexion, bend, twist, standing, extension
- deformingbending, twisting, warping, curving, folding
- predator traitssharp teeth, sharp claws, fangs, claws, talons