wind-up
/ˈwaɪndˌʌp/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.83 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The end or conclusion of something.
noun
The punch line of a joke or comedy routine.
noun
A humorous attempt to fool somebody; a practical joke in which the victim is encouraged to believe something untrue.
British usage
noun
The phase of making a pitch where the pitcher moves his or her arm backwards before throwing the ball.
noun
A circular hand gesture, supposed to represent the winding on of film, used to signal to a performer to finish quickly.
adj
Example Sentences
- "Everyone is invited to our end-of-term wind-up party."
- "The wind-up is, that the father becomes bankrupt; the wife and daughters town-traders; the sons Greeks, Fancy-swells, Conveyancers (pickpockets), or Cracksmen (house breakers), and the New Drop is the last drop they ever take."
- "After this long windup, Smith says, “Is there a question there, your honor?” He says it not in an evasive way, but with a smile."
- ""Is this a wind-up, or what?" "No, no, it's true. He can really do it.""
- "He's into his wind-up. Here comes the pitch. Strike on the inside corner!"
- "Maybe you could get a wind-up toy to distract him."
Etymology
Usage
- British usage