helix

See also Helix

English

Wikipedia Wikipedia

Helix

Etymology

From Latin helix, from Ancient Greek ἕλιξ (heliks, “something twisted or spiral”).

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈhiːlɪks/, X-SAMPA: /"hi:lIks/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -iːlɪks

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.

Synonyms

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

Derived terms

• alpha helix
• double helix
• helical
• helically

Related terms

• helicopter
• left-handed
• right-handed
• spiral

Translations

curve

• Bulgarian: спирала (bg) (spirála) f
• Catalan: hèlix (ca) f
• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 螺旋 (cmn) (luóxuán)

• Czech: šroubovice (cs) f
• Danish: skruelinje (da)
• Esperanto: helikso (eo), helico (eo)
• Finnish: ruuviviiva (fi); ruuvikierre (fi)

• French: hélice (fr) f
• German: Spirale (de) f, Wendel (de) f
• Japanese: 螺旋 (ja) (らせん, rasen)
• Polish: helisa (pl) f
• Russian: спираль (ru) (spirálʹ) f
• Spanish: hélice (es) f
• Swedish: helix (sv)

in architecture

• Catalan: hèlix (ca) f
• Finnish: heliks (fi)
• Greek:

  Ancient: ἕλιξ‎ f

  Modern: έλικα (el) (élika) f

of the ear

• Catalan: hèlix (ca) f
• Esperanto: helikso (eo)

• Finnish: heliks (fi), ylärusto (fi)
• Greek: έλικα (el) (élika) f