reel vs spool

reel

noun
  • A kind of spool, turning on an axis, on which yarn, threads, lines, or the like, are wound. 

  • A device consisting of radial arms with horizontal stats, connected with a harvesting machine, for holding the stalks of grain in position to be cut by the knives. 

  • A lively dance originating in Scotland; also, the music of this dance; often called a Scottish (or Scotch) reel. 

  • A short compilation of sample film work used as a demonstrative resume in the entertainment industry. 

  • A shaky or unsteady gait. 

verb
  • To walk shakily or unsteadily; to stagger; move as if drunk or not in control of oneself. 

  • To wind on a reel. 

  • To produce a mechanical insect-like song, as in grass warblers. 

  • To unwind, to bring or acquire something by spinning or winding something else. 

  • To make or cause to reel. 

  • To spin or revolve repeatedly. 

  • To have a whirling sensation; to be giddy. 

  • To be in shock. 

  • To back off, step away, or sway backwards unsteadily and suddenly. 

spool

noun
  • A reel; a device around which thread, wire or cable is wound, especially a cylinder or spindle. 

  • One of the rotating assemblies of a gas turbine engine, composed of one or more turbine stages, a shaft, and one or more compressor or fan stages. 

  • A small swimming pool that can be used also as a spa. 

  • A temporary storage area for electronic mail, etc. 

verb
  • To wind on a spool or spools. 

  • To send files to a device or a program (a spooler or a daemon that puts them in a queue for processing at a later time). 

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