reel / rēl/ • n. 1. a cylinder on which film, wire, thread, or other flexible materials can be wound. ∎  a length of something wound on to such a device: a reel of copper wire. ∎  a part of a movie: in the final reel he is transformed from unhinged sociopath into local hero. ∎  a device for winding and unwinding a line as required, in particular a fishing reel.2. a lively Scottish or Irish folk dance. ∎  a piece of music for such a dance, typically in simple or duple time. ∎ short for Virginia reel.• v. 1. [tr.] (reel something in) wind a line on to a reel by turning the reel. ∎  bring something attached to a line, esp. a fish, toward one by turning a reel and winding in the line: he struck, and reeled in a good perch.2. [intr.] lose one's balance and stagger or lurch violently: he punched Connolly in the ear, sending him reeling she reeled back against the van. ∎  feel very giddy, disoriented, or bewildered, typically as a result of an unexpected setback: the unaccustomed intake of alcohol made my head reel | fig. the nationalist government is already reeling from 225 percent monthly inflation. ∎  walk in a staggering or lurching manner, esp. while drunk: the two reeled out of the bar arm in arm.3. [intr.] dance a reel.PHRASAL VERBS: reel (something) off say or recite something rapidly and without apparent effort: she proceeded to reel off in rapid Italian the various dishes of the day.DERIVATIVES: reel·er n.ORIGIN: Old English hrēol, denoting a rotatory device on which spun thread is wound; of unknown origin.

reel. Dance common in Scotland, parts of England, and Ireland, for 2 or more couples. The mus. is rapid and smoothly flowing and generally in simple quadruple time. The Highland fling is a particularly vigorous form of the Scottish reel. Scandinavian countries have similar dances. In N. Amer., the Virginia reel, said to be the same as the Eng. dance Sir Roger de Coverley, was probably introduced by Eng. settlers.

reel winding instrument, orig. for thread or silk OE.; (orig. Sc., f. the vb.) whirling movement, staggering roll; lively dance of Sc. origin XVI. OE. hrēol, of which no cogns. are known.
Hence reel vb. wind on a reel; whirl; stagger, sway XIV; dance a reel XVIII.

reel. See bead.