reel

1
[ reel ]
/ ril /

noun

verb (used with object)

Verb Phrases

reel off, to say, write, or produce quickly and easily: The old sailor reeled off one story after another.

Idioms for reel

    off the reel,
    1. without pause; continuously.
    2. without delay or hesitation; immediately.
    Also right off the reel.

Origin of reel

1
before 1050; (noun) Middle English rele, Old English hrēol; cognate with Old Norse hræll weaver's rod; (v.) Middle English relen, derivative of rele

OTHER WORDS FROM reel

reel·a·ble, adjective

Definition for reeling (2 of 2)

reel 2
[ reel ]
/ ril /

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

to cause to reel.

noun

an act of reeling; a reeling or staggering movement.

Origin of reel

2
1300–50; Middle English relen, apparently derivative of rele reel1

Example sentences from the Web for reeling

British Dictionary definitions for reeling (1 of 3)

reel 1
/ (riːl, rɪəl) /

noun

any of various cylindrical objects or frames that turn on an axis and onto which film, magnetic tape, paper tape, wire, thread, etc, may be wound US equivalent: spool
angling a device for winding, casting, etc, consisting of a revolving spool with a handle, attached to a fishing rod
a roll of celluloid exhibiting a sequence of photographs to be projected

verb (tr)

to wind (cotton, thread, etc) onto a reel
(foll by in, out etc) to wind or draw with a reel to reel in a fish

Derived forms of reel

reelable, adjective reeler, noun

Word Origin for reel

Old English hrēol; related to Old Norse hrǣll weaver's rod, Greek krekein to weave

British Dictionary definitions for reeling (2 of 3)

reel 2
/ (riːl, rɪəl) /

verb (mainly intr)

to sway, esp under the shock of a blow or through dizziness or drunkenness
to whirl about or have the feeling of whirling about his brain reeled

noun

a staggering or swaying motion or sensation

Word Origin for reel

C14 relen, probably from reel 1

British Dictionary definitions for reeling (3 of 3)

reel 3
/ (riːl, rɪəl) /

noun

any of various lively Scottish dances, such as the eightsome reel and foursome reel for a fixed number of couples who combine in square and circular formations
a piece of music having eight quavers to the bar composed for or in the rhythm of this dance

Word Origin for reel

C18: from reel ²