Difference between revisions of "Helix"
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In academic English, the plural of <b>helix</b> should always be <b>heli<big>ces</big></b>. | In academic English, the plural of <b>helix</b> should always be <b>heli<big>ces</big></b>. | ||
| − | <b> | + | <b>Helix</b> is a word used in mathematical descriptions, or descriptions echoing mathematics. It means 'a coil, a spiral, [such] as an electromagnetic coil of wire, the thread of a screw, a tendril'¦ [more accurately] 'anything of a spiral or coiled form, whether in one plane (like a watch-spring), or advancing around an axis (like a corkscrew), but more usually applied to the latter' (''http://www.oed.com/''). Its most famous use in modern English is in the phrase 'the double <b>helix</b>' to describe the molecular structure of DNA. |
| − | <b> | + | <b>Helix</b> was originally a [[Greek]] word which was then taken into [[Latin]]. (See [[-es in Latin]].) In academic English, use the Latin or Greek forms of words that still 'feel' as if they are Latin or Greek, as far as you can. |
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[[category:plurals]] [[category:Latin plurals]] | [[category:plurals]] [[category:Latin plurals]] | ||
[[category:Greek plurals]] | [[category:Greek plurals]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:24, 2 December 2014
In academic English, the plural of helix should always be helices.
Helix is a word used in mathematical descriptions, or descriptions echoing mathematics. It means 'a coil, a spiral, [such] as an electromagnetic coil of wire, the thread of a screw, a tendril'¦ [more accurately] 'anything of a spiral or coiled form, whether in one plane (like a watch-spring), or advancing around an axis (like a corkscrew), but more usually applied to the latter' (http://www.oed.com/). Its most famous use in modern English is in the phrase 'the double helix' to describe the molecular structure of DNA.
Helix was originally a Greek word which was then taken into Latin. (See -es in Latin.) In academic English, use the Latin or Greek forms of words that still 'feel' as if they are Latin or Greek, as far as you can.
