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Synonyms
reel1 (rēl)

[Middle English, from Old English hrēol.]

noun 

  1. A device, such as a cylinder, spool, or frame, that turns on an axis and is used for winding and storing rope, tape, film, or other flexible materials.
  2. A cylindrical device attached to a fishing rod to let out or wind up the line.
  3. The quantity of wire, film, or other material wound on one reel.
  4. A set of curved lawn-mower blades that rotate around a bar parallel to the ground, cutting grass while moving against a stationary straight blade.

transitive verb: reeled, reel·ing, reels. 

  1. To wind on or let out from a reel.
  2. To recover by winding on a reel: reel in a large fish.

phrasal verbs

reel off
To recite fluently and usually at length: reeled off a long list of names and dates.

derivatives

reeĺa·ble
adjective
reel2 (rēl)

[Middle English relen, to whirl about, probably from reel, spool; see reel1.]

verb: reeled, reel·ing, reels. 

intransitive verb 

  1. To be thrown off balance or fall back: reeled from the sharp blow.
  2. To stagger, lurch, or sway, as from drunkenness: reeled down the alley.
  3. To go round and round in a whirling motion: gulls reeling and diving.
  4. To feel dizzy: My head reeled with the facts and figures.

transitive verb 

To cause to reel.

noun 

  1. A staggering, swaying, or whirling movement.
    1. A moderately fast dance of Scottish origin.
    2. The Virginia reel.
    3. The music for one of these dances.

derivatives

reeĺer
noun
reel3 (rēl)

[Origin unknown.]

noun 

Maine
A hand-held hammer used in a quarry for shaping granite blocks.