volute

Definitions

noun

1

The characteristic spiral curve on an Ionic capital, widely copied in other styles and in neoclassical architecture.

This example is much richer, yet no less elegant, than the other; the volute, instead of a single spiral, is formed by three; the sculptured echinus beneath is surmounted by a guilloched moulding, and separated from the shaft by a neck […]

2

The spirals or whorls on a gastropod's shell.

3

Any marine gastropod of the family Volutidae.

Common shells include frog-shells, distorsios, volutes, tulips, murex, cones, olives, marginellas, cowries, augers and the Florida horse conch, the state's official shell, which can grow up to 24in (6 1 cm) long.

4

The casing in a centrifugal pump, whose shape is somewhat similar to architectural volutes.

5

A spiral or scroll form.

adj

1

Of a spring: having a spiral curve on its tail.

2

Rolled up in any way.

Collocations

2

ADJ.

other

ADV.

instead

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous se

noun — ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around

spiral

adjective — in the shape of a coil

coiling
helical
spiral
spiraling
voluted
whorled
turbinate

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

2

01

This example is much richer, yet no less elegant, than the other; the volute, instead of a single spiral, is formed by three; the sculptured echinus beneath is surmounted by a guilloched moulding, and

Wiktionary

02

Common shells include frog-shells, distorsios, volutes, tulips, murex, cones, olives, marginellas, cowries, augers and the Florida horse conch, the state's official shell, which can grow up to 24in (6