hélice

propeller, helix

noun eh-LEES Rare

Origin: Greek 'helix' (spiral)

Usage Note

Hélice refers to a rotating propeller on a boat, plane, or helicopter, as well as the geometric helix shape. Despite ending in -e, it is feminine. In mathematics and biology, une hélice also describes a helical structure, such as the DNA double helix (la double hélice).

Examples

"L'hélice de l'avion tournait à grande vitesse."

Natural Translation

The plane's propeller was spinning at high speed.

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