volute

noun

vo·​lute və-ˈlüt How to pronounce volute (audio)
1
: a spiral or scroll-shaped form
2
: a spiral scroll-shaped ornament forming the chief feature of the Ionic capital
3
a
: any of various marine gastropod mollusks (family Volutidae) with a thick short-spired shell
b
: the shell of a volute
volute adjective
or voluted

Examples of volute in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The challenge in the manufacturing process was to preserve the elegant shape of the volutes and the sweetness of their volume. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 29 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin voluta, from feminine of volutus, past participle of volvere to roll — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of volute was circa 1696

Dictionary Entries Near volute

Cite this Entry

“Volute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volute. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on volute

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!