English
helix
Helix comes from Latin helix ‘a kind of ivy’, and goes back to Ancient Greek ἕλιξ ‘something twisted or spiral’.
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEἕλιξhélix‘something twisted or spiral’
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEhelix‘a kind of ivy’
- Englishearliest quotation 1953same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEἕλιξhélix‘something twisted or spiral’
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEhelix‘a kind of ivy’
- Englishearliest quotation 1953same form
Earliest quotation: 1953, Division of Metrology Technical Paper - : “A large positive inclination gives a chip which will…”
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *welH- ‘to turn’
well, walk, wall, volume, revolution, evolution, involve, valve, vault, evolve, revolt, vulgar, waltz, convoluted, divulge, voluminous, vagrant, vulva, wale, convolution, vulgate, gauche, involution, voluble, valvular, valise, 76 more
through Ancient Greek εἰλέω ‘to turn, wind’
Today it means
noun 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.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Ancient Greek ἕλιξ / helix