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volute

volute

9.4
A spiral or coil shape found in shells, machines, and buildings
  • noun
  • /vəˈluːt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : voluta
  • Below the blossom are volutes of blue glass bordered by white, from which hang petal-like forms.
  • tree with volutes
  • volute area

Examples

  • Andre Francois painted one circa 1965: open sides, elegant armrests in volute form, fire-engine-red body with white trim.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The upper frieze shows alternating recumbent goats and palmette trees with volutes.

    Academic text (1991)
  • She derived this terminology from the wall paintings from Nuzi, where the tree appears to be formed by ribbons of different colors, looped so as to create volutes with pendant fringe.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The architect designed a stunning entrance with volutes that elegantly frame the doorway.

  • The ornate columns featured intricate volutes, adding a classic touch to the facade.

  • In her artwork, she incorporated volutes of varying sizes to create a captivating spiral pattern.

Synonyms

spiral
vsvolute
38 3.5

A curved shape that winds around a center and moves outward or inward

is the same coiling shape often used as an architectural or structural form
coil
vsvolute
20 3.7

A length of wire or rope wound in loops

is the structural spiral shape rather than just a wound length of material
helix
vsvolute
11 6.0

A spiral shape that winds around like a spring or staircase

is a similar curved form but not restricted to cylindrical geometry
whorl
vsvolute
5 8.1

A spiral pattern seen in hair, leaves or smoke

is the spiral or coil structure used in objects, not only surface patterns
volution
vsvolute
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A spiral turn in a shell or other coiled object

is the general spiral form often used as an architectural ornament
volutation
vsvolute
  • Specialized
9.9

A spiral shape used as decoration on the top of a column

is a spiral or coil shape used across architecture, engineering, and nature

Compounds

volute spring
  • Specialized
7.5

A metal coil that absorbs shock and stores energy

How Coiled

helix
11 6.0
coil
20 3.7
volute
  • Specialized
9.4
spiral
25 3.8
whorl
5 8.1

Surface Forms

volute singular
volutes plural

Etymology

The word volute comes from the Latin root volvere 'to roll', the same root as in revolve. So a volute is a rolled, spiral or coil shape, like a shell or the curved part of a pump.