swivel

plural swivels

1. countableuncountableengineeringA piece, such as a ring or hook, attached to another piece by a pin, in such a manner as to permit rotation about the pin as an axis.

   The patter of feet, and clatter of strap and swivel, seemed to swell into a bewildering din, but they were almost upon the fielato offices, where the carretera entered the town, before a rifle flashed.

   1907 January, Harold Bindloss, chapter 7, in The Dust of Conflict, 1st Canadian edition, Toronto, Ont.: McLeod & Allen, →OCLC

2. countableuncountablegovernmentA small piece of ordnance, turning on a point or swivel; called also swivel gun.

   Applied to guns mounted upon the cartridges were fired without being tripods, stands, swivels, or carriages

   1881, Thomas Wilhelm, A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer

   1 more example

   [The settlement] was entirely surrounded by a broad unfordable marsh or swamp, which prevented all communication, except by private paths under water, known only to the rebels, and before which Baron had placed loaded swivels […]

   1796, John Stedman, chapter 4, in Narrative of a Five Years’ Expedition,, volume 1, London: J. Johnson, page 81

3. slanguncountableStrength of mind or character that enables one to overcome adversity; confidence; force of will.

   Bob ain't got no swivel.

4. countableuncountableThe act of swivelling.
5. countableuncountabledanceA rotating of the hips.
6. countableuncountablefishingA small, usually ball- or barrel-shaped device used in angling to connect sections of fishing lines, consisting of two rings linked via a thrust bearing pivot joint.

present singular third person swivels · US participle present swiveling · UK participle present swivelling · US participle past swiveled · US past swiveled · UK participle past swivelled · UK past swivelled

1. intransitiveTo swing or turn, as on a pin or pivot.

   As expected, Swansea began the game with some patient passing and the first chance fell to striker Michu in the fourth minute when he controlled a cross by Jonjo Shelvey and swivelled in the penalty box, only to fire over the bar.

   2013 November 3, Delme Parfitt, “Cardiff City 1 - 0 Swansea City: Steven Caulker heads Bluebirds to South Wales derby win”, in Wales Online