volute

(və lo̵̅o̅t)

noun

  1. a spiral or twisting form; turn; whorl
  2. Archit. a spiral scroll forming one of the chief features of Ionic and Corinthian capitals
  3. Zool.
    1. any of the turns or whorls of a spiral shell
    2. any of a family (Volutidae) of saltwater gastropods often having brightly colored shells with an elongated opening

Origin: L voluta, orig., fem. of volutus, pp. of volvere, to roll: see walk

adjective

  1. rolled up; spiraled
  2. having a spirally shaped part

Related Forms:

See volute in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A spiral scroll-like ornament such as that used on an Ionic capital.
  2. a. A spiral formation, such as one of the whorls of a gastropod shell.
    b. Any of various marine gastropod mollusks of the family Volutidae, having a spiral, often colorfully marked shell.

Origin:

Origin: French

Origin: , from Italian voluta

Origin: , from Latin volūta

Origin: , from feminine past participle of volvere, to turn, roll; see wel-2 in Indo-European roots

.

Related Forms:

  • vo·lutˈed (-lo͞oˈtĭd) adjective

Learn more about volute

link/cite print suggestion box