Coil (koil), v.t. [imp. & p. p. Coiled (koild); p. pr. & vb. n. Coiling.] [OF. coillir, F. cueillir, to collect, gather together, L. coligere; col- + legere to gather. See Legend, and cf. Cull, v. t., Collect.]
1.
To wind cylindrically or spirally; as, to coil a rope when not in use; the snake coiled itself before springing.
2.
To encircle and hold with, or as with, coils.
[Obs. or R.]
T. Edwards.
© Webster 1913.
Coil, v. i.
To wind itself cylindrically or spirally; to form a coil; to wind; -- often with about or around.
You can see his flery serpents . . .
Coiting, playing in the water.
Longfellow.
© Webster 1913.
Coil, n.
1.
A ring, series of rings, or spiral, into which a rope, or other like thing, is wound.
The wild grapevines that twisted their coils from trec to tree.
W. Irving.
2.
Fig.: Entanglement; toil; mesh; perplexity.
3.
A series of connected pipes in rows or layers, as in a steam heating apparatus.
Induction coil. Elec. See under Induction. -- Ruhmkorff's coil Elec., an induction coil, sometimes so called from Ruhmkorff (), a prominent manufacturer of the apparatus.
© Webster 1913.
Coil, n. [Of Celtic origin; cf. Gael. goil fume, rage.]
A noise, tumult, bustle, or confusion.
[Obs.]
Shak.
© Webster 1913.