Dictionary entries for 'wind up'

Synonyms

wind² (wīnd)

[Middle English winden, from Old English windan.]

verb: wound (wound), wind·ing, winds.

To wrap (something) around a center or another object once or repeatedly: wind string around a spool.
To wrap or encircle (an object) in a series of coils; entwine: wound her injured leg with a bandage; wound the waist of the gown with lace and ribbons.
1. To go along (a curving or twisting course): wind a path through the mountains.
2. To proceed on (one's way) with a curving or twisting course.
To introduce in a disguised or devious manner; insinuate: He wound a plea for money into his letter.
To turn (a crank, for example) in a series of circular motions.
1. To coil the spring of (a mechanism) by turning a stem or cord, for example: wind a watch.
2. To coil (thread, for example), as onto a spool or into a ball.
3. To remove or unwind (thread, for example), as from a spool: wound the line off the reel.
To lift or haul by means of a windlass or winch: Wind the pail to the top of the well.

To move in or have a curving or twisting course: a river winding through a valley.
1. To move in or have a spiral or circular course: a column of smoke winding into the sky.
2. To be coiled or spiraled: The vine wound about the trellis.
To be twisted or whorled into curved forms.
To proceed misleadingly or insidiously in discourse or conduct.
To become wound: a clock that winds with difficulty.

wind down: To diminish gradually in energy, intensity, or scope: The party wound down as guests began to leave.; To relax; unwind.
wind up: To come or bring to a finish; end: when the meeting wound up; wind up a project.; To put in order; settle: wound up her affairs before leaving the country.; Informal To arrive in a place or situation after or because of a course of action: took a long walk and wound up at the edge of town; overspent and wound up in debt.; Baseball To swing back the arm and raise the foot in preparation for pitching the ball.