Definition

1. Verb:
   • To cause to spin; to spin a coin: The primary meaning is to set something, especially a coin, into a rapid rotating motion.
   • To cause a floating log to rotate by treading: A specific logging term meaning to rotate a log in water by treading on it with one's feet.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:
  • He can birl a quarter on the table with amazing speed. (He can spin a quarter on the table very fast.)
  • The lumberjack learned to birl a log to move it across the pond. (The lumberjack learned to rotate a log by treading on it to cross the pond.)

Advanced Usage

• "to birl a coin": to spin a coin, often as a game or for decision-making.

  • They decided who would go first by birling a coin. (They used a spinning coin to decide who would go first.)

• "to birl a log": the act of logrolling, a sport or skill where a person balances and spins a log in water.

  • The champion showed his skill by birling the log until his opponent fell off. (The champion demonstrated his ability by spinning the log.)

Variants and Related Words

• Birler (n): a person who birles, especially a logroller.

  • He is the best birler in the competition. (He is the most skilled log spinner.)

• Birling (n): the action or sport of spinning a log.

  • Birling requires excellent balance and strength. (The activity of log spinning requires great balance.)

Synonyms

• Spin: to turn or cause to turn rapidly around an axis.
• Twirl: to spin quickly and lightly.
• Rotate: to turn around a central point.

Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

(There are no common idioms specifically using the word 'birl'.)

Verb

1. cause to spin
   • spin a coin
2. cause a floating log to rotate by treading