curl vs flipper

curl

noun
  • A spin making the trajectory of an object curve. 

  • Movement of a moving rock away from a straight line. 

  • {{ux|en|The curl of the vector field ⃑F(x,y,z) is the vector field operatorname curl,⃑F≡⃑∇⨯⃑F=((∂F_z)/(∂y)-(∂F_y)/(∂z),(∂F_x)/(∂z)-(∂F_z)/(∂x),(∂F_y)/(∂x)-(∂F_x)/(∂y)).}} 

  • The vector operator, denoted rm curl; or ⃑∇⨯⃑(·), that generates this field. 

  • Any exercise performed by bending the arm, wrist, or leg on the exertion against resistance, especially those that train the biceps. 

  • A curved stroke or shape. 

  • Any of various diseases of plants causing the leaves or shoots to curl up; often specifically the potato curl. 

  • A pattern where the receiver appears to be running a fly pattern but after a set number of steps or yards quickly stops and turns around, looking for a pass. 

  • The vector field denoting the rotationality of a given vector field. 

  • The contrasting light and dark figure seen in wood used for stringed instrument making; the flame. 

  • A curving piece or lock of hair; a ringlet. 

verb
  • To cause to move in a curve. 

  • To shape (the brim of a hat) into a curve. 

  • To move in curves. 

  • To take part in the sport of curling. 

  • To twist or form (the hair, etc.) into ringlets. 

  • To exercise by bending the arm, wrist, or leg on the exertion against resistance, especially of the biceps. 

  • To make into a curl or spiral. 

  • To assume the shape of a curl or spiral. 

  • To deck with, or as if with, curls; to ornament. 

  • To raise in waves or undulations; to ripple. 

flipper

noun
  • A type of ball bowled by a leg spin bowler, which spins backwards and skids off the pitch with a low bounce. 

  • Television remote control, clicker. 

  • A flat lever in a pinball machine, triggered by the player to strike the ball and keep it in play. 

  • A kind of false tooth, usually temporary. 

  • A small flat used to support a larger one. 

  • Someone who flips, in the sense of buying a house or other asset and selling it quickly for profit. 

  • Someone who flips in any other sense, for example throwing a coin. 

  • In marine mammals such as whales, a wide flat limb, adapted for swimming. 

  • A flat, wide, paddle-like rubber covering for the foot, used in swimming. 

  • A kitchen spatula. 

verb
  • To lift one or both flippers out of the water and slap the surface of the water. 

How often have the words curl and flipper occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )