Helixes

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.
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     2. (Arch.) A caulicule or little volute under the abacus of
        the Corinthian capital.
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     3. (Anat.) The incurved margin or rim of the external ear.
        See Illust. of {Ear}.
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     4. (Zool.) A genus of land snails, including a large number
        of species.
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     Note: The genus originally included nearly all shells, but is
           now greatly restricted. See {Snail}, {Pulmonifera}.
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