Spindle

spin′dl, n. the pin from which the thread is twisted: a pin on which anything turns: the fusee of a watch: anything very slender.— v.i. to grow long and slender.— adjs. Spin′dle-legged , -shanked , having long slender legs, like spindles.— ns.pl. Spin′dle-legs , -shanks , long slim legs—hence an over-long and slender person.— adj. Spin′dle-shaped , shaped like a spindle: thickest in the middle and tapering to both ends.— ns. Spin′dle-shell , a spindle-shaped shell; Spin′dle-tree , a shrub whose hard-grained wood was formerly used for making musical instruments and for spindles, and is now for skewers, .; Spin′dling , a person or thing too long and slender: a slender shoot.— adj. long and slender.— adj. Spin′dly , dis proportionally long and slender. [A.S. spinl — spinnan , to spin; Ger. spindel .]