coiled

Coiled is the adjective formed from coil and the past participle of the verb coil. It describes an object or structure that is wound into a spiral or helix, or that is arranged in a rounded, multi-loop form. The term is used across disciplines to indicate a state of winding or curling.

Common examples include coiled springs, coiled hoses or cables, and coiled ropes. Such items are typically designed to be extended when needed and then re-wound for storage or to reduce space. Coiled forms can also describe materials or surfaces that have a helical or serpentine contour.

In biology and biochemistry, coiled appears in several specific concepts. The coiled-coil motif describes pairs or bundles of alpha helices that wrap around each other to form a rod-like structure in proteins. DNA and chromatin can also exist in coiled configurations within cells, particularly when condensed during mitosis or in compact chromatin fibers. Coiling can influence mechanical properties and functional interactions in biomolecules.

In everyday language, coiled describes anything wound up into loops or spirals, such as a coiled cord, a coiled rope, or a coiled spring. The opposite term is uncoiled. The word is versatile, applied to objects, structures, and biological forms that adopt a winding shape.