reel

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 (especially BrE) (AmE usually spool) a round object around which you wind such things as cotton thread, wire or film; the film, wire, thread, etc. that is wound around a reel: a cotton reel * a reel on a fishing rod * reels of magnetic tape * a new reel of film * The hero was killed in the final reel (= in the final part of the film / movie). 2 a fast Scottish, Irish or American dance, usually for two or four couples; a piece of music for this dance verb [V] 1 [usually +adv./prep.] to move in a very unsteady way, for example because you are drunk or have been hit: I punched him on the chin, sending him reeling backwards. * She was reeling after several glasses of wine. * He reeled under the blow. 2 ~ (at / from / with sth) to feel very shocked or upset about sth: I was still reeling from the shock. 3 to seem to be spinning around and around: When he opened his eyes, the room was reeling. PHRASALVERBS reel sth<->in / out to wind sth on/off a reel: I slowly reeled the fish in. reel sth<->off to say or repeat sth quickly without having to stop or think about it: She immediately reeled off several names.