Swivel \Swiv"el\, n. [AS. sw[=i]fan to move quickly, to remove;
akin to Icel. sveifla to whirl, shake, sv[=i]fa to ramble, to
turn. See Swoop, and cf. Swift a reel, Swift, a.]
1. (Mech.) A piece, 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.
2. (Mil.) A small piece of ordnance, turning on a point or
swivel; -- called also swivel gun. --Wilhelm.
Swivel bridge, a kind of drawbridge that turns round on a
vertical axis; a swing bridge.
Swivel hook, a hook connected with the iron strap of a
pulley block by a swivel joint, for readily taking the
turns out of a tackle.
Swivel joint, a joint, the two pieces composing which turn
round, with respect to each other, on a longitudinal pin
or axis, as in a chain, to prevent twisting.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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