helix

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See also: Helix, hélix, and hèlix

English

Helix

Etymology

From Latin helix, from Ancient Greek ἕλιξ (hélix, something twisted or spiral).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈhiːlɪks/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Rhymes: -iːlɪks
  • Rhymes: -ɪks

Noun

helix (plural helixes or helices)

  1. (mathematics) A curve on the surface of a cylinder or cone such that its angle to a plane perpendicular to the axis is constant; the three-dimensional curve seen in a screw or a spiral staircase.
  2. (architecture) A small volute under the abacus of a Corinthian capital.
  3. (anatomy) The incurved rim of the external ear.
    helix piercing
  4. An upside down midair 360° spin in playboating.

Synonyms

  • (curve): spiral (not in technical use)

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

helix (third-person singular simple present helixes, present participle helixing, simple past and past participle helixed)

  1. To form or cause to form a helix.
    • 1953, Division of Metrology Technical Paper - Issues 1-7, page 25:
      A large positive inclination gives a chip which will helix out of the space between the face mill and the workpiece.
    • 1967, Aviation Week & Space Technology - Volume 87, page 295:
      When the shaft is unsupported, the large torque tends to helix the inner core, and if the casing is not stiff enough, it will helix the casing also.
    • 1997, Physical Review: Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics:
      The decrease in d enhances the probability that remaining SDLs will helix, leading to an outward traveling wave of helixing and a jump in 5d.
    • 2010, Phillip Beach, Muscles and Meridians E-Book: The Manipulation of Shape, →ISBN, page 95:
      Conceptually, this field will helix up from the genital tip, here modelled as the caudal singularity of the left and right domains of the H-CFs.

Derived terms

See also

Dutch

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin helix, from Ancient Greek ἕλιξ (hélix).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɦeː.lɪks/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Hyphenation: he‧lix

Noun

helix f (plural helices or helixen)

  1. helix
    Synonym: schroeflijn

Latin

Etymology

Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἕλιξ (hélix).

Pronunciation

Noun

helix f (genitive helicis); third declension

  1. a kind of ivy
  2. a kind of willow
  3. a whorl, a small ornament on the capital of Corinthian columns

Declension

Third-declension noun.

Case Singular Plural
Nominative helix helicēs
Genitive helicis helicum
Dative helicī helicibus
Accusative helicem helicēs
Ablative helice helicibus
Vocative helix helicēs

Descendants

  • Catalan: hèlix
  • Dutch: helix
  • English: helix
  • French: hélice
  • Galician: hélice
  • Italian: elica
  • Polish: helisa
  • Portuguese: hélice
  • Romanian: elice
  • Spanish: hélice

References

  • helix”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  • helix in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette.

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from French hélix.

Noun

helix n (plural helixuri)

  1. helix

Declension