English

Verb

outspin ‎(third-person singular simple present outspins, present participle outspinning, simple past and past participle outspun)

1. (transitive) To spin out; finish; exhaust.
   • 1999, Jean Fritz, Margot Tomes, Homesick, my own story:

     [...] again and again as if she could not tear herself away, yet each time dancing farther forward, swaying to and fro. Finally, her arms raised, she began twirling around, faster and faster, as if she were trying to outspin time itself.

   • 2006, Karen DeYoung, Soldier: the life of Colin Powell:

     His protective senior staff decided the secretary was being outspun.

2. (transitive) To exceed in spinning; exceed in spinning thread.
   • 1851, Edward Young, Night thoughts on life, death and immortality:

     As if we could outspin the Fatal Sisters.

   • 2007, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Lady of Avalon:

     Old Cigfolla, who despite stiff joints could outspin any of them, drew out a fine thread of flax.