helix
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.
Other meanings
A small volute under the abacus of a Corinthian capital.
The incurved rim of the external ear.
“helix piercing”
Synonyms
- spiral
Related words
- alpha helix
- anthelix
- antihelix
- Boerdijk-Coxeter helix
- double helix
- helical
- helically
- helicase
- heliciform
- helicin
- helixlike
- hemihelix
Word history
From Ancient Greek "ἕλιξ" (something twisted or spiral).
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “helix” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.