helix

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“
Such an arrangement of wire is known as a helix or solenoid, and is capable of lifting or pulling larger and more numerous filings and even good-sized pieces of iron, such as tacks.

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Definitions (16)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (4)

  1. noun 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. noun A spiral form or structure.
  3. noun Anatomy The folded rim of skin and cartilage around most of the outer ear.
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Examples (50)

  • The discovery of the double helix was a conceptual step, but Watson and Crick were the only two who believed it at the beginning The other man's jaw jutted aggressively. —  Disordered Minds
  • A virus is a lot smaller than the DNA double-helix, and it has no cell wall.
  • The average globular protein contains 30\% alpha-helix, the most common type of secondary structure. —  CiteULike: Everyone's library
  • • X-ray diffraction studies reveal a cylinder of water surrounding the triple-helix which is hydrogen-bonded to the hydroxyproline side-chains. —  Recently Uploaded Slideshows
  • At this year's fair the most noticeable display trend is a jumbled pile in the shape of a tornado or double helix, as with this arrangement by the new French firm —  Fast Company
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This word has been looked up 81 times.

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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

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

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from Latin helix, a kind of ivy, a kind of willow, a volute in architecture, from Greek ἑλιξ (ἑλικ-), anything which assumes a spiral shape, as a tendril, lock or curl of hair, etc., as adjective ἕλιξ, twisted, curved, from ἑλίσσ, σ1ειν, turn round, akin to L. volvere, roll, and to English wallow: see volute, involve, evolve, etc., and wallow.
 

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/ˈhilɪks/
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