helixin a right circular cylinderhe·lix (h??l?ks)n. pl. he·lix·es or hel·i·ces (h?l??-s?z?, h??l?-) 1. Mathematics A three-dimensional curve that lies on a cylinder or cone, so that its angle to a plane perpendicular to the axis is constant.2. A spiral form or structure.3. Anatomy The folded rim of skin and cartilage around most of the outer ear.4. Architecture A volute on a Corinthian or Ionic capital.v. he·lixed, he·lix·ing, he·lix·es v.tr. To move or position (something) into the shape of a helix.v.intr.1. To have the shape of a helix.2. To move along a helical course; spiral.[Latin, from Greek; see wel- in Indo-European roots.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.helix (?hi?l?ks) n, pl helices (?h?l??si?z) or helixes1. (Mathematics) a curve that lies on a cylinder or cone, at a constant angle to the line segments making up the surface; spiral2. a spiral shape or form3. (Anatomy) the incurving fold that forms the margin of the external ear4. (Architecture) another name for volute25. (Animals) any terrestrial gastropod mollusc of the genus Helix, which includes the garden snail (H. aspersa)[C16: from Latin, from Greek: spiral; probably related to Greek helissein to twist]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014he?lix (?hi l?ks) n., pl. hel?i?ces (?h?l ??siz) he?lix?es. 1. a spiral. 2. the curve formed by a straight line drawn on a plane when that plane is wrapped around a cylindrical surface, esp. a right circular cylinder, as the curve of a screw. 3. a spiral, scroll-like architectural ornament, as a volute on a Corinthian capital. 4. the curved fold forming most of the rim of the external ear. 5. alpha helix. [1555?65;
a helix
alpha helixn. A secondary structure of proteins, characterized by a single, spiral chain of amino acids stabilized by hydrogen bonds.[From alpha-form, the form taken by unstretched protein molecules.]al?pha-hel?i·cal (-h?l??-k?l, -h??l?-) adj.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.alpha helix n (Biochemistry) biochem a helical conformation of a polypeptide chain, found abundantly in the structure of proteins Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014al?pha he?lix n. the spatial configuration of many protein molecules in which the polypeptide backbone is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between amino acids in successive helical turns. [1950?55] Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.