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helical

helical

2 6.7
In the shape of a spiral, like a twisted staircase
  • adjective
  • /ˈhɛlɪkəl/
: helicoidal
  • Three-dimensional helical CT is valuable for the assessment of fracture type.
  • helical coil
  • helical spring
  • double helical

Boundlessly curious, relentlessly rigorous, enwrapped by the helical strands that encode our existence.

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Examples

  • The staircase had a helical design that twisted elegantly upwards.

  • Within a prosthetic limb, potential energy exists in resilient shock absorbers, such as helical compression springs.

    Academic text (1995)
  • First, you wind the helical spring, then...

  • We have a loop de loop, and it's helical through space.

  • Sure enough, they also found the same helical structure in the data of 346-GHz spectral lines.

    Blog text (29)
  • As you know, DNA is a helical molecule made-up of two strands.

  • The animation provided a detailed three-dimensional perspective of the helical flow patterns characteristic of the tapered surface design.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Electrically driven helical rotor pumps handle many contaminated water situations, including sewage.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Contrast-enhanced helical CT of her chest and abdomen showed no arteriovenous malformations.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Falk Corp., Milwaukee, Wis. A new line of stainless steel helical bevel gear drives is available for food industry sanitary requirements.

    Academic text (2005)

Synonyms

spiral
vshelical
38 3.8

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

is the general name for that winding curved form
coiled
vshelical
16 4.3

Shaped like tight rings or spirals

is the broader curved form not only in tight rings
spiraling
vshelical
2 4.8

Something that winds around a center like a snail shell

is the static curved form rather than the moving action
involute
vshelical
1 9.7

Coiled tightly, like a shell that hides its center

is the simpler curved form without many folding turns
helicoid
vshelical
1 9.0

Shaped like a spiral that turns around a center

is the broader term for winding curved shapes in general
helicoidal
vshelical
  • Specialized
1 8.9

A spiral that winds around a central line

is the broader name for similar winding curved forms
volute
vshelical
  • Specialized
1 9.2

Something that has a spiral or coil shape for decoration

is the plain curved form not limited to decoration
voluted
vshelical
1 9.0

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

is the plain curved form used for general shape
turbinate
vshelical
  • Specialized
9.8

Shaped like a spiral, for example a snail shell

is the common rounded curved form not especially shaped like a top

How Coiled

helical
2 6.7
spiral
38 3.8
coiled
16 4.3
curled
3 1.4
bent
68 1.0
curved
50 1.0

Surface Forms

helical positive

Morphology

helical = helix (transparent) = helix + al

The adjective is formed regularly from the noun 'helix' with '-al', meaning 'relating to a helix' or 'having the form of a helix'.

Etymology

Helical comes from the Greek word helix, which means 'spiral' or 'twist'. The same root appears in helicopter, so helical means 'shaped like a coil or spiral'.