Skip to content

elica

propeller

noun EH-lee-kah Rare

Origin: From Greek helix (spiral), via Latin helix.

Also means

helix

Usage Note

Elica covers both a ship's or plane's propeller and, in mathematics and geometry, a helix or spiral shape. The plural is eliche (f). Do not confuse with elicottero (helicopter), which derives from the same root.

Examples

"L'elica del motoscafo è rotta."

Natural Translation

The motorboat's propeller is broken.

Free starter pack

Building your Italian vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Italian words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore Italian by topic