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/hˈilɪks/ Listen

noun

Helix n. (pl. L. helices, E. helixes)

(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.

(Arch.) A caulicule or little volute under the abacus of the Corinthian capital.

(Anat.) The incurved margin or rim of the external ear.

(Zool.) A genus of land snails, including a large number of species. Note: The genus originally included nearly all shells, but is now greatly restricted. See Snail, Pulmonifera.

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Etymology of 'Helix'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Helix" Quotes from Famous Books

... They were loaded with juniper boughs, and fortunately they had not forgotten the berries; the latter establish the identity of the tree with the common Asiatic species. M. Lacaze brought back several Alpine plants, a small Helix which he had found near the summit, and copious scrawls for future croquis—his studies of the "Pins" and the "Dome" were greatly admired ...

— The Land of Midian, Vol. 2 • Richard Burton

... you know that when a current of electricity passes through a wire, a magnetic field is produced around the wire. A coil of wire, or helix, has a stronger field than a straight wire carrying the same current, because each turn or convolution adds its field to that of the other turns. By having the center of the helix made of iron, instead of air, ...

— How Two Boys Made Their Own Electrical Apparatus • Thomas M. (Thomas Matthew) St. John

... of a species is not to gratify the vanity of the man, but to indicate more precisely the species. Sometimes two men will, by accident, give the same name (independently) to two species of the same genus. More frequently a later author will misapply the specific name of an older one. Thus the Helix putris of Montagu is not H. putris of Linnaeus, though Montague supposed it to be so. In such a case we cannot define the species by Helix putris alone, but must append the name of the author whom we quote. But when a species has never borne ...

— The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, Volume I • Francis Darwin