Definition of "swivel"

swivel

/ˈswɪvəl/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural swivels
1. (mechanical) A piece, such 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.
  Quotations
  The patter of feet, and clatter of strap and swivel, seemed to swell into a bewildering din, but they were almost upon the fielato offices, where the carretera entered the town, before a rifle flashed.
  1907, Harold Bindloss, chapter 7, in The Dust of Conflict‎
2. (military) A small piece of ordnance, turning on a point or swivel; called also swivel gun.
  Quotations
  [The settlement] was entirely surrounded by a broad unfordable marsh or swamp, which prevented all communication, except by private paths under water, known only to the rebels, and before which Baron had placed loaded swivels […]
  1796, John Stedman, chapter 4, in Narrative of a Five Years’ Expedition,‎, volume 1, London: J. Johnson, page 81
  Applied to guns mounted upon the cartridges were fired without being tripods , stands , swivels , or carriages
  1881, Thomas Wilhelm, A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer
3. (slang, uncountable) Strength of mind or character that enables one to overcome adversity; confidence; force of will.
4. The act of swivelling.
5. (dance) A rotating of the hips.
6. (fishing) A small, usually ball- or barrel-shaped device used in angling to connect sections of fishing lines, consisting of two rings linked via a thrust bearing pivot joint.
verb
third-person singular simple present swivels, present participle swiveling or swivelling, simple past and past participle swiveled or swivelled
1. (intransitive) To swing or turn, as on a pin or pivot.
  Quotations
  As expected, Swansea began the game with some patient passing and the first chance fell to striker Michu in the fourth minute when he controlled a cross by Jonjo Shelvey and swivelled in the penalty box, only to fire over the bar.
  2013 November 3, Delme Parfitt, “Cardiff City 1 - 0 Swansea City: Steven Caulker heads Bluebirds to South Wales derby win”, in Wales Online