spin English · revision 5615

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=before 800|origins=gem-pro *spinnaną}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /spɪn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|spinnen]], [[inh|ang|spinnan|t=to draw out and twist fibres into thread]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[gem-pro|*spinnaną]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) also the source of Old Norse spinna, Dutch spinnen, German spinnen and Gothic spinnan.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) It comes from [[ine-pro|*(s)pen-|t=to draw, stretch, spin]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) [[spindle]] is formed from it.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To draw out and twist fibres into thread: before 800.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The intransitive sense “to make thread” developed in late Old English.^(Etymonline) Of spiders and silkworms forming threads it is from the late 14th century and the 1510s.^(Etymonline) Figuratively, to produce in a way like spinning, it is from the 1550s;^(Etymonline) ''spin a yarn'', to tell a long story, is nautical, from sailors' rope-making and their tall tales.^(Cresswell 2021) To make something turn rapidly is from the 1610s,^(Etymonline) and to revolve rapidly is first recorded in Milton's Paradise Lost (1667).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The noun, a whirling motion, is from 1831,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) a twisting delivery in cricket from 1851,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) a fairly fast ride from 1856,^(Etymonline) and the steep spiralling descent of an aircraft from 1915.^(OED 1989) In physics, a property of elementary particles is from 1926.^(Etymonline) To play a record is from 1936.^(Etymonline) The sense “a slant given to information”, and ''spin doctor'', came from the American presidential campaign of 1984.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 800 – to spin thread.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1667 – to revolve rapidly.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1831 – the noun, a whirling.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1851 – in cricket.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1926 – in physics.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1984 – ''spin doctor''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To turn round and round quickly, or to make something do this.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To make [[thread]] by drawing out and twisting fibres.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of a [[spider]] or insect, to make a web or cocoon from threads.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To tell a story, especially an invented one: ''spin a yarn''.^(AHD)^(Cresswell 2021)

+ # To present news or information in a way that favours oneself.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A fast turning movement.^(SOED 2002)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' A short ride in a car for pleasure.^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A way of presenting information to give a favourable impression.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)

+ # ''(physics)'' A property of [[elementary particle|alt=elementary particles]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[spinless]]

+ * [[spinnability]]

+ * [[spinnable]]

+ * [[spinner]]

+ * [[spinster]]

+ * [[outspin]]

+ * [[overspin]]

+ * [[spinout]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[spider]]

+ * [[spindle]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}