Spin  —v. (-nn-; past and past part. Spun) 1 (cause to) turn or whirl round quickly. 2 (also absol.) A draw out and twist (wool, cotton, etc.) Into threads. B make (yarn) in this way. 3 (of a spider, silkworm, etc.) Make (a web, cocoon, etc.) By extruding a fine viscous thread. 4 (esp. Of the head) be dizzy through excitement etc. 5 tell or write (a story etc.). 6 (as spun adj.) Made into threads (spun glass; spun gold). 7 toss (a coin). 8 = spin-dry (*spin-drier). —n. 1 spinning motion; whirl. 2 rotating dive of an aircraft. 3  secondary twisting motion, e.g. Of a ball in flight. 4 colloq. Brief drive, esp. In a car.  spin out prolong. Spin a yarn tell a story. [old english]