Coil vs Twine - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between coil and twine

is that coil is something wound in the form of a helix or spiral while twine is a twist; a convolution.

As verbs the difference between coil and twine

is that coil is to wind or reel e.g. a wire or rope into regular rings, often around a centerpiece while twine is to weave together.

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

* ----

twine

English

Alternative forms

* (l) (obsolete)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) twine, twyne, twin, from (etyl) . More at (l).

Noun

(wikipedia twine) (en noun)

A twist; a convolution.

* Milton

Typhon huge, ending in snaky twine .

A strong thread composed of two or three smaller threads or strands twisted together, and used for various purposes, as for binding small parcels, making nets, and the like; a small cord or string.

The act of twining or winding round.

Intimate and suggestive dance gyrations.

1965 Pickett, Wilson , Don't Fight It (blues song), BMI Music.

:* The way you jerk, the way you do the twine / You're too much, baby; I'd like to make you mine [...]

Etymology 2

From (etyl) twinen, twynen, from (etyl) *.

Verb

(twin)

To weave together.

To wind, as one thread around another, or as any flexible substance around another body.

* Shakespeare

Let me twine / Mine arms about that body.

To wind about; to embrace; to entwine.

* Alexander Pope

Let wreaths of triumph now my temples twine .

To mutually twist together; to become mutually involved; to intertwine.

To wind; to bend; to make turns; to meander.

* Jonathan Swift

As rivers, though they bend and twine , / Still to the sea their course incline.

To ascend in spiral lines about a support; to climb spirally.

Many plants twine .

(obsolete) To turn round; to revolve.

(Chapman)

(obsolete) To change the direction of.

(Fairfax)

(obsolete) To mingle; to mix.

(Crashaw)

Derived terms

* (l) * (l)