Coil vs Swathe - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between coil and swathe

is that coil is something wound in the form of a helix or spiral or coil can be a noise, tumult, bustle, or turmoil while swathe is a bandage; a band;.

As verbs the difference between coil and swathe

is that coil is to wind or reel eg a wire or rope into regular rings, often around a centerpiece while swathe is to bind with a swathe, band, bandage, or rollers.

coil

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) ; compare legend.

Noun

(en noun)

Something wound in the form of a helix or spiral.

the sinuous coils of a snake

* Washington Irving

The wild grapevines that twisted their coils from tree to tree.

Any intra-uterine contraceptive device (Abbreviation: IUD )—the first IUDs were coil-shaped.

(electrical) A coil of electrically conductive wire through which electricity can flow.

(figurative) Entanglement; perplexity.

Synonyms

* (coil of conductive wire) inductor

Derived terms

* coil spring * impedance coil * mosquito coil * Oudin coil * Tesla coil

Verb

(en verb)

To wind or reel e.g. a wire or rope into regular rings, often around a centerpiece.

A simple transformer can be made by coiling two pieces of insulated copper wire around an iron heart.

To wind into loops (roughly) around a common center.

The sailor coiled the free end of the hawser on the pier.

To wind cylindrically or spirally.

to coil a rope when not in use

The snake coiled itself before springing.

(obsolete, rare) To encircle and hold with, or as if with, coils.

Etymology 2

Origin unknown.

Noun

(en noun)

A noise, tumult, bustle, or turmoil.

* 1594 , William Shakespeare, Titus Andronicus , Act III:

If the windes rage, doth not the Sea wax mad, / Threatning the welkin with his big-swolne face? / And wilt thou haue a reason for this coile ?

* 1624 , John Smith, Generall Historie , in Kupperman 1988, p. 162:

this great Savage desired also to see him. A great coyle there was to set him forward.

* 1704 , Jonathan Swift, A Tale of a Tub :

they continued so extremely fond of gold, that if Peter sent them abroad, though it were only upon a compliment, they would roar, and spit, and belch, and piss, and f—t, and snivel out fire, and keep a perpetual coil , till you flung them a bit of gold [...].

Quotations

* (English Citations of "coil")

Derived terms

* mortal coil

External links

* *

Anagrams

* ----

swathe

English

Noun

(en noun)

A bandage; a band;

(chiefly, British, usually in plural) A group of people.

Large swathes will be affected by the tax increase.

* 2012 , The Economist, Sep 29th 2012 issue, Venezuela’s presidential election: The autocrat and the ballot box

As well as the advantages of abused office, Mr Chávez can boast enduring popularity among a broad swathe of poorer Venezuelans. They like him for his charisma, humble background and demotic speech.

* {{quote-news

, year=2011 , date=October 23 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Man Utd 1 - 6 Man City , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=United's stature is such that one result must not bring the immediate announcement of a shift in the balance of power in Manchester - but the swathes of empty seats around Old Trafford and the wave of attacks pouring towards David de Gea's goal in the second half emphasised that City quite simply have greater firepower and talent in their squad at present.}}

Verb

(swath)

To bind with a swathe, band, bandage, or rollers.

* Archbishop Abbot

Their children are never swathed or bound about with anything when they are first born.

* 1898 , , (Moonfleet) Chapter 4

The head was swathed in linen bands that had been white, but were now stained and discoloured with damp, but of this I shall not speak more, and beneath the chin-cloth the beard had once escaped.