Definition

1. Noun:
   • A rotating shaft or rod: A slender, typically pointed rod or pin that rotates or serves as an axis for a rotating part, such as in a machine.
   • A rod for twisting and winding thread: A rod or pin used in hand-spinning to twist fibers into yarn and to wind the spun thread.
   • A turned piece of wood or metal: A decorative, often symmetrical object, such as a baluster or chair leg, shaped by turning on a lathe.
   • A cellular structure: In biology, the spindle (or mitotic spindle) is a structure composed of microtubules that forms during cell division to separate chromosomes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old spinning wheel had a wooden spindle for winding the wool.
  • The machine's drive spindle was damaged and needed replacement.
  • The staircase was elegant, with beautifully carved spindles in the banister.
  • During mitosis, the spindle apparatus ensures chromosomes are divided equally between the two daughter cells.

Advanced Usage

• "Spindle fibers": The microtubules that form the mitotic spindle during cell division.
  • The spindle fibers attach to the chromosomes at their centromeres.
• "Spindle-shaped": Having a shape that is thick in the middle and tapers at both ends; fusiform.
  • The muscle cells are spindle-shaped.

Variants and Related Words

• Spindly (adj): Long, thin, and often weak in appearance.
  • The plant grew tall and spindly in the shade.
• Spindlelegs (n, informal): A person with long, thin legs.

Synonyms

• Axle: A shaft on which a wheel rotates.
• Mandrel: A shaft or spindle in a lathe to which work is fixed while being turned.
• Bobbin: A cylinder or cone holding thread, yarn, or wire, used in spinning and weaving.

Related Phrases

• "Spindle side": (Archaic) The female side or line of a family (from the distaff side, relating to spinning).
• "Spindle tree": A type of shrub or small tree (genus ) with hard wood formerly used for making spindles.

Noun

1. any holding device consisting of a rigid, sharp-pointed object
   • the spike pierced the receipts and held them in order
2. a stick or pin used to twist the yarn in spinning
3. any of various rotating shafts that serve as axes for larger rotating parts
4. a piece of wood that has been turned on a lathe; used as a baluster, chair leg, etc.
5. (biology) tiny fibers that are seen in cell division; the fibers radiate from two poles and meet at the equator in the middle
   • chromosomes are distributed by spindles in mitosis and meiosis