helix: Meaning and Definition of

he•lix

Pronunciation: (hē'liks), [key]
— pl. hel•i•ces he•lix•es.
  1. a spiral.
  2. 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:sin&thgr;, y = a cos&thgr;, z = b &thgr;. x = a
    1. a spiral ornament.
    2. (in a Corinthian capital) either of two scrolls issuing from a cauliculus. Cf. Corinthian (def. 2).
  3. the curved fold forming most of the rim of the external ear. See diag. under
  4. See
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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