From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Volute \Vo*lute"\, n. [F. volute (cf. It. voluta), L. voluta,
from volvere, volutum, to roll. See {Voluble}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Arch.) A spiral scroll which forms the chief feature of
the Ionic capital, and which, on a much smaller scale, is
a feature in the Corinthian and Composite capitals. See
Illust. of {Capital}, also {Helix}, and {Stale}.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) A spiral turn, as in certain shells.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Zool.) Any voluta.
[1913 Webster]
{Volute spiring}, a spring formed of a spiral scroll of
plate, rod, or wire, extended or extensible in the
direction of the axis of the coil, in which direction its
elastic force is exerted and employed.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
volute
adj 1: in the shape of a coil [syn: {coiling}, {helical},
{spiral}, {spiraling}, {volute}, {voluted}, {whorled},
{turbinate}]
n 1: ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around
a center with an increasing distance from the center [syn:
{spiral}, {volute}]
2: a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous
series of loops; "a coil of rope" [syn: {coil}, {spiral},
{volute}, {whorl}, {helix}]
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