coil
UK: kɔɪl | US: kɔɪl
n. a series of loops or spirals formed by winding a flexible material (e.g., wire, rope)
vt. to wind or twist into a series of loops or rings
vi. to move in a spiral or winding path
The word "coil" traces back to the Old French coillir, meaning "to gather or collect," which itself derives from the Latin colligere (to bind together). Over time, the sense shifted from general gathering to the specific action of winding or twisting into a spiral shape, reflecting the physical act of gathering materials like rope or wire into orderly loops. The modern meaning retains this focus on helical or circular arrangement.
She carefully coiled the garden hose after use.
A snake coiled around the tree branch, motionless.
The wire formed a tight coil inside the machine.
He coiled the rope into neat loops for storage.
Smoke coiled upward from the chimney into the cold air.