swivel

[ swiv-uh l ]
/ ˈswɪv əl /

noun

verb (used with object), swiv·eled, swiv·el·ing or (especially British) swiv·elled, swiv·el·ling.

to turn or pivot on or as if on a swivel: He swiveled his chair around.
to fasten by a swivel; furnish with a swivel.

verb (used without object), swiv·eled, swiv·el·ing or (especially British) swiv·elled, swiv·el·ling.

to turn on or if as on a swivel.

Origin of swivel

1275–1325; Middle English (noun), equivalent to swiv- (weak stem of Old English swīfan to revolve; cognate with Old Norse svīfa to turn) + -el instrumental suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM swivel

swiv·el·like, adjective un·swiv·el, verb (used with object), un·swiv·eled, un·swiv·el·ing or (especially British) un·swiv·elled, un·swiv·el·ling.

Example sentences from the Web for swivel

British Dictionary definitions for swivel

swivel
/ (ˈswɪvəl) /

noun

a coupling device which allows an attached object to turn freely
such a device made of two parts which turn independently, such as a compound link of a chain
  1. a pivot on which is mounted a gun that may be swung from side to side in a horizontal plane
  2. Also called: swivel gun the gun itself

verb -els, -elling or -elled or US -els, -eling or -eled

to turn or swing on or as if on a pivot
(tr) to provide with, secure by, or support with a swivel

Derived forms of swivel

swivel-like, adjective

Word Origin for swivel

C14: from Old English swīfan to turn; see swift