vo⋅lute
[vuh-loot]
| 1. | a spiral or twisted formation or object. |
| 2. | Architecture. a spiral ornament, found esp. in the capitals of the Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite orders. |
| 3. | Carpentry. a horizontal scrolled termination to the handrail of a stair. |
| 4. | Zoology.
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| 5. | the spiral casing surrounding the impeller of a volute pump. |
| 6. | having a volute or rolled-up form. |
| 7. | Machinery.
|
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Volute
Vo*lute"\, n. [F. volute (cf. It. voluta), L. voluta, from volvere, volutum, to roll. See Voluble.]1. (Arch.) A spiral scroll which forms the chief feature of the Ionic capital, and which, on a much smaller scale, is a feature in the Corinthian and Composite capitals. See Illust. of Capital, also Helix, and Stale. 2. (Zo["o]l.) A spiral turn, as in certain shells. 3. (Zo["o]l.) Any voluta. Volute spiring, a spring formed of a spiral scroll of plate, rod, or wire, extended or extensible in the direction of the axis of the coil, in which direction its elastic force is exerted and employed.Cite This Source
volute
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volute vo·lute (və-l&oomacr;t')
n.
A spiral formation, such as one of the whorls of a gastropod shell.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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volute
any marine snail of the family Volutidae (subclass Prosobranchia of the class Gastropoda). Most species have large, colourful shells, typically with an elongated aperture in the first whorl of the shell and a number of deep folds on the inner lip. Volutes are most common in warm, shallow waters but occur also in polar seas. Prized by collectors is the imperial volute (Aulica imperialis) of the Philippines; it is 25 cm (10 inches) long, with a spine-tipped body whorl finely checked with brown, and an outer lip that is wide and golden-lined.
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