helicoid

[ hel-i-koid, hee-li- ]

adjective

1. coiled or curving like a spiral.

noun

1. Geometry. a warped surface generated by a straight line moving so as to cut or touch a fixed helix.

helicoid

/ ˈhɛlɪˌkɔɪd /

adjective

1. biology shaped like a spiral

   a helicoid shell

noun

1. geometry any surface resembling that of a screw thread

helicoid

/ hĕl′ĭ-koid′,hē′lĭ- /

Adjective

1. Arranged in or having the approximate shape of a flattened coil or spiral curve.

Noun

1. A surface in the form of a coil or screw. A helicoid is generated mathematically by rotating a plane or twisted curve about an axis at a fixed rate and simultaneously translating it in the direction of the line of axis, also at a fixed rate.

Derived Forms

• ˌheliˈcoidally, adverb

Other Words From

• heli·coidal adjective
• heli·coidal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of helicoid¹

First recorded in 1690–1700, helicoid is from the Greek word helikoeidḗs of spiral form. See helic-, -oid

Example Sentences

Complex, user-prescribed, three-dimensional cavities can be produced within this molecular canvas, enabling the creation of shapes such as letters, a helicoid and a teddy bear.

From Nature

“When a small crack forms, it has to travel a very tortuous path — around and around the helicoid — in order to escape the entire club but runs out of energy and stays in the club,” Kisailus said.

From Washington Post

Kisailus and his colleagues created a carbon-fiber version of the peacock mantis shrimp’s helicoid, using epoxy as fill-in, and put it to the test against two other composites made from the same basic components.

From Washington Post

“When a small crack forms, it has to travel a very tortuous path — around and around the helicoid — in order to escape the entire club, but runs out of energy and stays in the club,” said Kisailus.

From Washington Post

A rough way to visualize this, is to see the endoplasmic reticulum as a parking garage, with the helicoid acting as the connection ramps between each floor.

From Forbes

Related Words

• circling
• coiled