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helical

helical

3 6.7
In the shape of a spiral, like a twisted staircase
  • adjective
  • /ˈhɛlɪkəl/
translation icon : 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
25 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
1 4.3

Shaped like tight rings or spirals

is the broader curved form not only in tight rings
helicoidal
vshelical
  • Specialized
8.9

A spiral that winds around a central line

is the broader name for similar winding curved forms
helicoid
vshelical
9.0

Shaped like a spiral that turns around a center

is the broader term for winding curved shapes in general
spiraling
vshelical
4.8

Something that winds around a center like a snail shell

is the static curved form rather than the moving action
voluted
vshelical
9.0

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

is the plain curved form used for general shape
volute
vshelical
  • Specialized
9.2

Something that has a spiral or coil shape for decoration

is the plain curved form not limited to decoration
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
involute
vshelical
9.7

Coiled tightly, like a shell that hides its center

is the simpler curved form without many folding turns

How Coiled

helical
3 6.7
spiral
25 3.8
coiled
1 4.3
curled
1.4
bent
21 1.0
curved
6 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'.