Volute

//vəˈluːt// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Of a spring: having a spiral curve on its tail. not-comparable
  2. 2
    Rolled up in any way. not-comparable
Adjective
  1. 1
    in the shape of a coil wordnet
Noun
  1. 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. 2
    a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops wordnet
  3. 3
    The spirals or whorls on a gastropod's shell.
  4. 4
    ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around a center with an increasing distance from the center wordnet
  5. 5
    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."

Show 3 more definitions
  1. 6
    The casing in a centrifugal pump, whose shape is somewhat similar to architectural volutes.
  2. 7
    A spiral or scroll form.
  3. 8
    A scroll-shaped carving at the tuning head of a stringed musical instrument, similar to architectural volutes.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From French volute, from Italian voluta, from Latin volūta, from the feminine of volūtus, perfect passive participle of volvō. Doublet of vault.

Etymology 2

From French volute, from Italian voluta, from Latin volūta, from the feminine of volūtus, perfect passive participle of volvō. Doublet of vault.

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