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helix

- 9 dictionary results

he⋅lix

  [hee-liks]
Use helix in a Sentence
–noun, plural hel⋅i⋅ces  [hel-uh-seez] , he⋅lix⋅es.
1. 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.
3. 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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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he·lix   (hē'lĭks)   


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n.   pl. he·lix·es or hel·i·ces (hěl'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.

[Latin, from Greek; see wel-2 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Helix

He"lix\, n.; pl. L. Helices, E. Helixes. [L. helix, Gr. ?, ?, fr. ? to turn round; cf. L. volvere, and E. volute, voluble.]

1. (Geom.) A nonplane curve whose tangents are all equally inclined to a given plane. The common helix is the curve formed by the thread of the ordinary screw. It is distinguished from the spiral, all the convolutions of which are in the plane.

2. (Arch.) A caulicule or little volute under the abacus of the Corinthian capital.

3. (Anat.) The incurved margin or rim of the external ear. See Illust. of Ear.

4. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of land snails, including a large number of species.

Note: The genus originally included nearly all shells, but is now greatly restricted. See Snail, Pulmonifera.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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helix [(hee-liks)]

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

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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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
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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helix he·lix (hē'lĭks)
n. pl. he·lix·es or hel·i·ces (hěl'ĭ-sēz', hē'lĭ-)

  1. A spiral form or structure.
  2. The folded rim of skin and cartilage around most of the outer ear.
  3. 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.
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helix   (hē'lĭks)  Pronunciation Key 
  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® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Helix
A hardware description language from Silvar-Lisco.

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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