Helix - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

he·lix

Audio Help [hee-liks] Pronunciation Key

–noun, plural hel·i·ces

Audio Help [hel-uh-seez] Pronunciation Key, he·lix·es.

a spiral.

2.	Geometry. the curve formed by a straight line drawn on a plane when that plane is wrapped around a cylindrical surface of any kind, esp. a right circular cylinder, as the curve of a screw. Equation: x = a sinθ, y = a cosθ, z = b θ.

Architecture.

a.	a spiral ornament.

b.	(in a Corinthian capital) either of two scrolls issuing from a cauliculus. Compare Corinthian (def. 2).

4.	Anatomy. the curved fold forming most of the rim of the external ear.

5.	Biochemistry. alpha helix.

[Origin: 1555–65; < L: a spiral, a kind of ivy < Gk hélix anything twisted; cf. helíssein to turn, twist, roll

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Helix

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

he·lix Audio Help (hē'lĭks) Pronunciation Key

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n. pl. he·lix·es or hel·i·ces (hěl'ĭ-sēz', hē'lĭ-)

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.
A spiral form or structure.
Anatomy The folded rim of skin and cartilage around most of the outer ear.
Architecture A volute on a Corinthian or Ionic capital.

[Latin, from Greek; see wel-² in Indo-European roots.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
helix

1563, from L. helix "spiral," from Gk. helix (gen. helikos), related to eilein "to turn, twist, roll," from PIE base *wel- "to turn, revolve" (see vulva).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

helix
noun
1.	a curve that lies on the surface of a cylinder or cone and cuts the element at a constant angle
2.	a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops; "a coil of rope" [syn: coil]
3.	type genus of the family Helicidae

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

helix Audio Help (hē'lĭks) Pronunciation Key

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.
Something, such as a strand of DNA, having a spiral shape.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
helix [(hee-liks)]

In geometry, a three-dimensional spiral shape, resembling a spring.

[Chapter:] Physical Sciences and Mathematics

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

helix he·lix (hē'lĭks)
n. pl. he·lix·es or hel·i·ces (hěl'ĭ-sēz', hē'lĭ-)

A spiral form or structure.
The folded rim of skin and cartilage around most of the outer ear.
A three-dimensional curve that lies on a cylinder or cone, so that its angle to a plane perpendicular to the axis is constant.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: he·lix
Pronunciation: 'hE-liks
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural he·li·ces /'hel-&-"sEz,'hE-l&-/ also he·lix·es /'hE-lik-s&z/
1 : the incurved rim of the external ear
2 : a curve traced on acylinder by the rotation of a point crossing its right sections at a constant oblique angle; broadly : SPIRAL 2—see ALPHA-HELIX DOUBLE HELIX

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This

Helix
A hardware description language from Silvar-Lisco.

U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This

Helix, OR (city, FIPS 33250) Location: 45.85025 N, 118.65739 W
Population (1990): 150 (55 housing units)
Area: 0.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 97835

Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, CA (CDP, FIPS 11691) Location: 32.76540 N, 116.93808 W
Population (1990): 30727 (11108 housing units)
Area: 33.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)

U.S. Gazetteer, U.S. Census Bureau

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Helix

Hel"i*cal\, a. [From Helix.] Of or pertaining to, or in the form of, a helix; spiral; as, a helical staircase; a helical spring. -- Hel"i*cal*ly, adv.

Acronym Finder - Cite This Source - Share This

HELIX

HELIX: in Acronym Finder

On-line Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

helix

helix: in CancerWEB's On-line Medical Dictionary

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