screwlike

Screwlike is an adjective that describes something having the characteristics of a screw, either in form or in motion. It can refer to a physical object with a helical thread or to a movement that follows a corkscrew path, combining rotation with forward displacement.

In engineering and manufacturing, screwlike describes geometry and mechanisms that use helical threads. A screwthread, bolt, or leadscrew is described as screwlike when its cross-section and helix angle produce the familiar fastening or translating effects. Components such as thread profiles, spline patterns, and helical gears may be described as screwlike in their appearance or function.

In biology, screwlike motion is used to describe how certain microorganisms move. Bacteria with spiral or corkscrew-shaped bodies, such as spirochetes, exhibit screwlike locomotion driven by rotating flagella or axial filaments. The term can also apply to other biological forms that display helical symmetry or movement.

In other contexts, screwlike may be used metaphorically to describe spiral patterns, coil-based textures, or tactile features that mimic screw threads. It is a descriptive term that emphasizes a helical structure or motion without referring to a specific fastening component.

See also: screw, helix, corkscrew, spiral, flagellum.