type genus of the family Helicidae
"The garden snail is classified as a member of the helix, serving as the type genus for the large land snail family Helicidae."
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.
"The double helix structure of DNA resembles a twisted ladder spiraling around an invisible central axis like a molecular screw."
In plain English: A helix is a shape that looks like a spiral staircase twisting around an invisible center line.
"The DNA molecule forms a double helix structure inside every cell of your body."
Usage: Use "helix" specifically for spiral shapes like DNA strands, seashells, or springs rather than general spirals that lie flat on a surface. This term describes a continuous curve where the angle of ascent remains constant as it winds around an axis.
To form or cause to form a helix.
"The enzyme binds to DNA and helps it coil into a double helix structure."
In plain English: To helix means to twist into a spiral shape, though it is rarely used as an action word and usually describes how something like DNA or a staircase looks instead of what someone does.
"The DNA strand twists into a helix shape that carries genetic information for every living cell."
The word comes from the Latin helix, which was borrowed directly from the Ancient Greek hélix. In its original language, it meant "something twisted" or a spiral shape.