Hypertext Webster Gateway: "volute"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Volute \Vo*lute"\, n. [F. volute (cf. It. voluta), L. voluta,
from volvere, volutum, to roll. See {Voluble}.]
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}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A spiral turn, as in certain shells.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Any voluta.
{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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
volute
adj : in the shape of a coil [syn: {coiling}, {helical}, {spiral},
{spiraling}, {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}]
2: a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous
series of loops; "a coil of rope" [syn: {coil}, {spiral},
{whorl}, {helix}]
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