in a right circular cylinder
he·lix
(hē′lĭks)n. pl. he·lix·es or hel·i·ces (hĕl′ĭ-sēz′, hē′lĭ-)
1. Mathematics A three-dimensional curve that lies on a cylinder or cone, so that its angle to a plane perpendicular to the axis is constant.
2. A spiral form or structure.
3. Anatomy The folded rim of skin and cartilage around most of the outer ear.
4. Architecture A volute on a Corinthian or Ionic capital.
v. he·lixed, he·lix·ing, he·lix·es
v.tr.
To move or position (something) into the shape of a helix.
v.intr.
1. To have the shape of a helix.
2. To move along a helical course; spiral.
[Latin, from Greek; see wel- in Indo-European roots.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
helix
(ˈhiːlɪks)n, pl helices (ˈhɛlɪˌsiːz) or helixes
1. (Mathematics) a curve that lies on a cylinder or cone, at a constant angle to the line segments making up the surface; spiral
2. a spiral shape or form
3. (Anatomy) the incurving fold that forms the margin of the external ear
4. (Architecture) another name for volute2
5. (Animals) any terrestrial gastropod mollusc of the genus Helix, which includes the garden snail (H. aspersa)
[C16: from Latin, from Greek: spiral; probably related to Greek helissein to twist]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
he•lix
(ˈhi lɪks)n., pl. hel•i•ces (ˈhɛl əˌsiz)
he•lix•es.
1. a spiral.
2. the curve formed by a straight line drawn on a plane when that plane is wrapped around a cylindrical surface, esp. a right circular cylinder, as the curve of a screw.
3. a spiral, scroll-like architectural ornament, as a volute on a Corinthian capital.
4. the curved fold forming most of the rim of the external ear.
5. alpha helix.
[1555–65; < Latin: a spiral, a kind of ivy < Greek hélix anything twisted]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
he·lix
(hē′lĭks)1. A three-dimensional spiral curve. In mathematical terms, a helix can be described as a curve turning about an axis on the surface of a cylinder or cone while rising at a constant upward angle from a base.
2. Something, such as a strand of DNA, having a spiral shape.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. |  helix - a curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant anglecurve, curved shape - the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes double helix - a pair of parallel helices intertwined about a common axis; "the shape of the DNA molecule is a double helix" |
| 2. |  helix - a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops; "a coil of rope"hank - a coil of rope or wool or yarn structure, construction - a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts; "the structure consisted of a series of arches"; "she wore her hair in an amazing construction of whirls and ribbons" | |
| 3. | Helix - type genus of the family Helicidae mollusk genus - a genus of mollusks family Helicidae, Helicidae - land snails including the common edible snail and some pests edible snail, Helix pomatia - one of the chief edible snails garden snail - any of several inedible snails of the genus Helix; often destructive pests brown snail, Helix aspersa - serious garden pest having a brown shell with paler zigzag markings; nearly cosmopolitan in distribution Helix hortensis - a kind of garden snail |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
helix
noun spiral, twist, curl, loop, coil, corkscrew, gyre (literary), curlicue, volute (technical) Coil the fibre into a helix.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
helix
n → (räumliche) Spirale, Helix f
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
helix
n hélice f; double — doble héli-ceEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.