VOLUTE

coiling, helical, spiral, spiraling, volute, voluted, whorled, turbinate

(adjective) in the shape of a coil

coil, spiral, volute, whorl, helix

(noun) a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops; “a coil of rope”

spiral, volute

(noun) ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around a center with an increasing distance from the center

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

volute (plural volutes)

(architecture) The characteristic spiral curve on an Ionic capital, widely copied in other styles and in neoclassical architecture.

(zoology) The spirals or whorls on a gastropod's shell.

(zoology) Any marine gastropod of the family Volutidae.

(engineering) The casing in a centrifugal pump, whose shape is somewhat similar to architectural volutes.

(art) A spiral or scroll form.

(music) A scroll-shaped carving at the tuning head of a stringed musical instrument, similar to architectural volutes.

Adjective

volute (not comparable)

(engineering) Of a spring: having a spiral curve on its tail.

Source: Wiktionary


Vo*lute", n. Etym: [F. volute (cf. It. voluta), L. voluta, from volvere, volutum, to roll. See Voluble.]

1. (Arch.)

Definition: 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. (Zoöl.)

Definition: A spiral turn, as in certain shells.

3. (Zoöl.)

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

22 January 2025

MEGALITH

(noun) memorial consisting of a very large stone forming part of a prehistoric structure (especially in western Europe)


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from roasted coffee beans, the seeds of berries from certain Coffea species. When coffee berries turn from green to bright red – indicating ripeness – they are picked, processed, and dried. Dried coffee seeds are roasted to varying degrees, depending on the desired flavor.

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