helix

Valid in Scrabble

Scrabble points
15
Words With Friends
15
Letters
5
Pronunciation
/ˈhiːlɪks/

Definition of helix

5 senses · 2 parts of speech · etymology included

noun

  1. A curve on the surface of a cylinder or cone such that its angle to a plane perpendicular to the axis is constant; the three-dimensional curve seen in a screw or a spiral staircase.
See all 5 definitions

noun

  1. A curve on the surface of a cylinder or cone such that its angle to a plane perpendicular to the axis is constant; the three-dimensional curve seen in a screw or a spiral staircase.
  2. A small volute under the abacus of a Corinthian capital.
  3. The incurved rim of the external ear.
    “helix piercing”
  4. An upside down midair 360° spin in playboating.

verb

  1. To form or cause to form a helix.
    “A large positive inclination gives a chip which will helix out of the space between the face mill and the workpiece.”
    “When the shaft is unsupported, the large torque tends to helix the inner core, and if the casing is not stiff enough, it will helix the casing also.”
    “The decrease in d enhances the probability that remaining SDLs will helix, leading to an outward traveling wave of helixing and a jump in 5d.”
    “Conceptually, this field will helix up from the genital tip, here modelled as the caudal singularity of the left and right domains of the H-CFs.”

Definitions from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.

Etymology

From Latin helix, from Ancient Greek ἕλιξ (hélix, “something twisted or spiral”).

Words you can make from helix

15 playable · top: HEX (13 pts)

Best play hex 13 points

4-letter words

3 words

3-letter words

4 words

2-letter words

7 words

Find your best play with helix

See every word you can make from a set of letters that includes helix, or browse word lists you can mine for high-scoring plays.