# volute

> English word · Noun · IPA /vəˈluːt/

## Definitions
1. The characteristic spiral curve on an Ionic capital, widely copied in other styles and in neoclassical architecture.
2. The spirals or whorls on a gastropod's shell.
3. Any marine gastropod of the family Volutidae.
4. The casing in a centrifugal pump, whose shape is somewhat similar to architectural volutes.
5. A spiral or scroll form.
6. A scroll-shaped carving at the tuning head of a stringed musical instrument, similar to architectural volutes.

## Etymology
From French volute, from Italian voluta, from Latin volūta, from the feminine of volūtus, perfect passive participle of volvō. Doublet of vault.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/volute