spiraalinen

Spiraalinen is a Finnish adjective describing something that is spiral-shaped or spiraling. The word is formed from spiraali, or spiral, with the suffix -nen, and is used to qualify curves, structures, or motions that follow a spiral path around a central point. It can also describe three-dimensional forms that resemble a helix.

In mathematics, a spiral is a plane curve winding around a center with varying radius. Spiraalinen is used to denote such curves or objects in design and engineering, from spiraalinen käyrä (spiral curve) to spiraalinen rakenne (spiral structure). In three dimensions, spiral forms may be described as helical.

Common examples include spiral staircases (spiraalportaat), coils in springs, and spiral patterns in shells or galaxies. In biology, the term can be used descriptively for organisms or structures that exhibit spiral growth, such as certain shells or pine cones, though more precise terms may be available.

Etymology: from spiraali; suffix -nen; related terms include spiraali (noun) and spiraalimainen (also used).

See also: spiral, helix, Archimedean spiral, logarithmic spiral.