swivel
1. (Science: mechanics) A piece, 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.
2. A small piece of ordnance, turning on a point or swivel; called also swivel gun. Swivel bridge, a kind of drawbridge that turns round on a vertical axis; a swing bridge. Swivel hook, a hook connected with the iron strap of a pulley block by a swivel joint, for readily taking the turns out of a tackle. Swivel joint, a joint, the two pieces composing which turn round, with respect to each other, on a longitudinal pin or axis, as in a chain, to prevent twisting.
Origin: AS. Swifan to move quickly, to remove; akin to Icel. Sveifla to whirl, shake, svifa to ramble, to turn. See Swoop, and cf. Swift a reel, Swift.
Dictionary > Swivel
You will also like...

Plant Biology
Plantlife can be studied at a variety of levels, from the molecular, genetic and biochemical level through organelles, c..

Running Water Freshwater Community Factors
This tutorial noted some of the physical and chemical factors that provide the framework of a running water community in..

DNA Structure & DNA Replication
DNA is a double helix structure comprised of nucleotides. A nucleotide, in turn, is made up of phosphate molecule, deoxy..

Darwin and Natural Selection
This tutorial investigates the genetic diversity in more detail. It also delineates how certain alleles are favored over..

The Homo Species
The evolution of the species of the genus "Homo" led to the emergence of modern humans. Find out more about human evolut..

A Balanced Vitamin Diet – Vitamins A – K
A balanced diet is essential to a healthy organism. Insufficiency or too much of a particular element or compound, such ..