helix

he·lix

noun \ˈhē-liks\

plural he·li·ces \ˈhe-lə-ˌsēz, ˈhē-\ also he·lix·es \ˈhē-lik-səz\

Definition of HELIX

1

: something spiral in form: as

a : an ornamental volute

b : a coil formed by winding wire around a uniform tube

2

: the incurved rim of the external ear

3

: a curve traced on a cylinder or cone by the rotation of a point crossing its right sections at a constant oblique angle; broadly : spiral 1b

Origin of HELIX

Latin, from Greek; akin to Greek eilyein to roll, wrap — more at voluble

First Known Use: 1563

he·lix

noun \ˈhē-liks\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; he·li·ces \ˈhel-ə-ˌsēz, ˈhē-lə-\ (audio pronunciation) (audio pronunciation)also ; he·lix·es \ˈhē-lik-səz\ (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of HELIX

1

: the incurved rim of the external ear

2

: a curve traced on a cylinder by the rotation of a point crossing its right sections at a constant oblique angle; broadly : spiral 2—see alpha-helix, double helix