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Glite Dictionary
🌀 Spiral-shaped 👃 Nose-related 👃 Nasal bone
turbinate

turbinate

9.8
Shaped like a spiral, for example a snail shell
  • adjective
  • /ˈtɜːrbɪneɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : turbinal
  • The snail has a turbinate shell that spirals tightly.

Examples

  • The vase's turbinate shape added a unique touch to the display.

  • The turbinate design of the sculpture caught everyone's attention.

  • Scientists described the new fossil as having a turbinate bone formation.

  • Is that a turbinate structure in the architecture?

  • The snail has a turbinate shell that spirals tightly.

  • Scientists described the new fossil as having a turbinate bone formation.

  • The vase's turbinate shape added a unique touch to the display.

Synonyms

spiral
vsturbinate
25 3.8

Having a curved shape that winds around a center like a coil

focuses more on a toplike three dimensional form not just a curve
helical
vsturbinate
3 6.7

In the shape of a spiral, like a twisted staircase

is more about a top or whorl look rather than only this regular twisting
voluted
vsturbinate
9.0

A thing that is coiled in a spiral like a snail shell

emphasises a toplike or whorl appearance as well as coiling
volute
vsturbinate
  • Specialized
9.2

Something that has a spiral or coil shape for decoration

is a general natural toplike form, not limited to decoration

Antonyms

straight
442 1.0

In a direct line without curves or bends

Compounds

turbinate bone
  • Specialized
7.5

A thin curved bone inside the nose that helps filter and moisten air

Surface Forms

turbinate positive

Morphology

turbinate = turbine (opaque) = turbin + ate

The formative element 'turbin-' is a Latin-derived combining form not productive or familiar to B1 learners, and the related English word 'turbine' has a different, technical meaning, so the sense 'shaped like a whirl/top' is not transparently derivable for most learners.

Etymology

Turbinate comes from the Latin root turbo meaning 'whirl' or 'spinning'. So turbinate describes something that coils or turns like a small whirl, such as a spiral shell or vase.