hélĭx

hélĭx ἕλῐξ Helix "Winde, Windung"

• Traditionally taken as a nominal formation from εἰλέω (eiléō, “to turn, wind”)
  • (< *ϝελ-νέ-ω (*wel-né-ō))
  • with a suffix -ιξ (-ix), as seen also in
    • ἧλιξ (hêlix, “of the same age”),
    • χόλιξ (khólix, “guts”),
    • δέλφιξ (délphix, “tripod”),
  • further from Proto-Indo-European *welH- “to turn”.
• The suffix -ιξ (-ix) may have originated from a shortening of an unattested compound such as
  • *ἑλικό-πους (*helikó-pous, “spiral-foot”) or
  • ἑλικό-κραιρα (helikó-kraira, “spiral-horn”).
• Based on the presumed suffix *-ικ- (*-ik-), Beekes suggests an alternate derivation from Pre-Greek which he appears to tentatively favor over the above theory.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /hé.liks/ → /ˈe.liks/ → /ˈe.liks/

Noun

ἕλῐξ • (hélĭx) f (genitive ἕλῐκος); third declension

1. anything twisted, winding or in a spiral
2. the tendril of a vine
3. the outer ear
4. (mathematics) a spiral line