volute

[ vuh-loot ]

noun

1. a spiral or twisted formation or object.
2. Architecture. a spiral ornament, found especially in the capitals of the Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite orders.
3. Carpentry. a horizontal scrolled termination to the handrail of a stair.
4. Zoology.
   1. a turn or whorl of a spiral shell.
   2. any of various tropical marine gastropods of the family Volutidae, many species of which have shells prized for their coloration.
5. the spiral casing surrounding the impeller of a centrifugal pump.

adjective

1. having a volute or rolled-up form.
2. Machinery.
   1. spirally shaped or having a part so shaped.
   2. moving in a circular way, especially if combined with a lateral motion.

volute

/ ˈvɒljuːt; vəˈluːt /

noun

1. a spiral or twisting turn, form, or object; spiral; whorl
2. Also calledhelix a carved ornament, esp as used on an Ionic capital, that has the form of a spiral scroll
3. any of the whorls of the spirally coiled shell of a snail or similar gastropod mollusc
4. any tropical marine gastropod mollusc of the family Volutidae, typically having a spiral shell with beautiful markings
5. a tangential part, resembling the volute of a snail's shell, that collects the fluids emerging from the periphery of a turbine, impeller pump, etc

adjective

1. having the form of a volute; spiral
2. machinery moving in a spiral path

Other Words From

• vo·luted adjective
• vo·lution noun
• inter·vo·lute adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of volute¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; from French or directly from Latin volūta “a scroll,” feminine noun use of volūtus, past participle of volvere “to turn”; revolve

Word History and Origins

Origin of volute¹

C17: from Latin volūta a spiral decoration, from volūtus rolled, from volvere to roll up

Example Sentences

In one of the specimens the ogee ends finish in a point; in the other they finish in a spiral volute turning upon itself.

From Project Gutenberg

Fig. 268 represents a well-preserved disk with four volute arms forming the tetraskelion, and thus allied to the Swastika.

From Project Gutenberg

Spiral-volute designs resembling the Swastika in general effect are found on aboriginal mound pottery from the Mississippi Valley.

From Project Gutenberg

The volute form is particularly adapted to the decoration of basketry, of which fig. 299 is a specimen.

From Project Gutenberg

It terminated in a large shepherds crook or scroll, the curved volute being often richly ornamented with foliage.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• streamer