volute

[vuh-loot] /vəˈlut/
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 volute pump.
adjective
6.
having a volute or rolled-up form.
7.
Machinery.
  1. spirally shaped or having a part so shaped.
  2. moving in a circular way, especially if combined with a lateral motion.
Origin
1690-1700; (< F) < Latin volūta, feminine of volūtus, past participle of volvere to turn. See revolve
Related forms
voluted, adjective
volution, noun
intervolute, adjective
Examples from the web for volute
  • Pump motor current increases due to the compression of gases in the pump volute.
  • Thermal sensing devices can be installed to measure the temperature of the liquid in the pump volute.
  • The use of a volute, turnout or starting easing shall be allowed over the lowest tread.
  • At the base of the stair the handrail terminates in a volute, as does the lower step.
  • The use of a volute, turnout, starting easing or starting newel shall be allowed over the lowest tread.
  • The use of a volute, turnout or starting newel shall be allowed over the lowest tread.
  • Except as otherwise indicated, pump volute shall have vertical discharge.
  • volute casing, motor enclosure and discharge shall be cast iron.
  • It contains the volute centrifugal dredge pump housing on the centerline.
  • The use of a volute, turnout or starting easing shall be allowed over the lowest thread.
British Dictionary definitions for volute

volute

/ˈvɒljuːt; vəˈluːt/
noun
1.
a spiral or twisting turn, form, or object; spiral; whorl
2.
Also called helix. 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
6.
having the form of a volute; spiral
7.
(machinery) moving in a spiral path
Word Origin
C17: from Latin volūta a spiral decoration, from volūtus rolled, from volvere to roll up
Word Origin and History for volute
n.

1690s, "spiral ornament on an Ionic capital," from French volute, from Italian voluta, from Latin voluta "a spiral scroll," originally fem. past participle of volvere "to turn around, roll" (see volvox). Extended 1756 to any spiral thing or part. As a type of spiral seashell, it is attested from 1753.

volute in Medicine

volute vo·lute (və-lōōt')
n.
A spiral formation, such as one of the whorls of a gastropod shell.

Encyclopedia Article for volute

any marine snail of the family Volutidae (subclass Prosobranchia of the class Gastropoda). Most species have large, colourful shells, typically with an elongated aperture in the first whorl of the shell and a number of deep folds on the inner lip. Volutes are most common in warm, shallow waters but occur also in polar seas. Prized by collectors is the imperial volute (Aulica imperialis) of the Philippines; it is 25 cm (10 inches) long, with a spine-tipped body whorl finely checked with brown, and an outer lip that is wide and golden-lined.

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