spindle English · revision 975

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈspɪndəl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|spindel]], an alteration of [[inh|ang|spinel]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) from the stem of ''spinnan'' “to spin” with the instrumental suffix ''-el'',^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) related to [[de|Spindel]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) The ''-d-'' is an intrusive sound, as in ''sound'' and ''thunder'',^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) perhaps helped by Middle English ''windel'' “reel”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A slender rounded rod, tapering at each end, used in spinning by hand (c. 725).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The name passed to the pin of a spinning wheel and, in the late 18th century, to the rods of spinning machines (c. 1790).^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) It was used of the axle of any revolving tool from the early 14th century,^(Etymonline) and later of many machine parts that revolve or serve as an axis.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) As a type of something slender it dates from the 16th century, especially of legs.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The verb meant “to grow into a long slender stalk” (1577),^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) and in the 20th century “to impale on a spike file”, as in the warning ''do not fold, spindle or mutilate''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – a hand-spinning rod.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * early 14th century – the axle of a revolving tool.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1452 – a measure of yarn.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1577 – verb, to shoot up into a slender stalk.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1651 – ''spindly''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * c. 1790 – a rod on a spinning frame.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A rod, tapered at the ends, on which fibres are twisted into thread by hand and then wound; also, the similar pin of a [[spinning wheel]] or spinning machine.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Any of various machine parts that revolve or serve as an [[axis]] for a revolving part, as in a lathe or a turntable.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # An upright spike on which papers are stuck for filing.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A slender turned part of a piece of furniture, as in a chair back.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To impale or perforate on a spindle.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To grow into a thin, elongated or weak form.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[spindleshanks]]

+ * [[spindly]]

+ * [[spindle-shanked]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[spin]]

+ * [[distaff]]

+ * [[spinster]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}