Coil or spin (5) Crossword Clue
Answer: TWIST (5 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Coil or spin" with 5 letters is "TWIST". The word "twist" refers to the action of turning something in a spiral or coiling motion, which aligns perfectly with the idea of spinning. It can also describe a change in direction or form, further linking it to the concept of twisting. The term is commonly used to describe both physical movements and figurative shifts in situations or narratives.
Why “Twist” Fits
- The clue asks for a 5-letter word meaning both coil and spin. The solution, TWIST, covers both meanings neatly:
- Coil: Something can be twisted into a coil or spiral.
- Spin: To twist can also mean to turn or spin quickly.
This double definition clue works because “twist” simultaneously carries both senses that the crossword setter has paired together.
A Bit of Background
- “Twist” comes from Old English twist, meaning divided or double. It evolved into the sense of winding strands together, which easily extends to coiling rope or thread. Later, it also came to mean a spin or turning movement.
- The word has kept both ideas alive in everyday usage:
- “twist a rope” = coil it,
- “the car twisted and spun” = rotate or spin.
Crossword Solving Insight
Double definition clues like this are a staple of quick crosswords. They don’t rely on wordplay, just a single word with two valid dictionary meanings. The trick is to think of synonyms that stretch across both parts of the clue — here, “coil” and “spin” overlap perfectly in TWIST.
