Volute

Quick meaning: Volute is a noun meaning (architecture) The characteristic spiral curve on an Ionic capital, widely copied in other styles and in neoclassical architecture.

Meaning

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

More Meanings

1. (zoology) The spirals or whorls on a gastropod's shell.
2. (zoology) Any marine gastropod of the family Volutidae.
3. (engineering) The casing in a centrifugal pump, whose shape is somewhat similar to architectural volutes.
4. (art) A spiral or scroll form.
5. (music) A scroll-shaped carving at the tuning head of a stringed musical instrument, similar to architectural volutes.
6. (engineering) Of a spring: having a spiral curve on its tail.
7. (biology) Rolled up in any way.

Example Sentences

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.

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 […]

Word Forms

• volutes

Synonyms for volute

Depending on context, synonyms include coil, whorl, coiled, helix, spiral, turbinate.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include spiraling, helical, coiled, coil, turbinate, coiling.

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