Other forms: helixes
A helix is a spiral that climbs as it turns. A double helix, a helix of stairs, helix shape.
It differs from a flat spiral in having a third dimension: a spring is a helix and a snail's shell is not quite. The double helix of DNA is two of them wound round each other, and the phrase is now one of the best-known images in science. In anatomy, the helix is the curved outer rim of the ear. Note helical; and the plural helices, which is Greek.
1nounhelixA spiral that climbs as it turns.
“The staircase rose in a graceful helix through the middle of the tower.”
2nouncurvedThe curved outer rim of the ear.
“She had her ear pierced through the helix, near the top.”
helix is a spiral shape.
Greek helix means something twisted or spiral, from a root about turning. Helicopter is the same helix plus pteron, a wing — a spiral wing.
Proto-Indo-European
*welH-
Ancient Greek
ἕλιξ — something twisted or spiral
Latin
helix
English, today
helix
From Latin helix, from Ancient Greek ἕλιξ (“something twisted or spiral”).
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA
Practised in Light & Shadow, Shapes & Lines