Arch. Obs. [L. volūta scroll, properly fem. of volūtus, pl. pple. of volvĕre to turn. In later use also from It. voluta (Sp. and Pg. voluta), of the same origin.] = VOLUTE sb. 1.
1563. Shute, Archit., D ij. The Abacus, that lieth vpon Voluta, is … flat like to a trencher.
1598. R. Haydocke, trans. Lomazzo, I. 93. 9 partes and an halfe: whereof one and an halfe makes abacus, and the other 8 downwards make voluta or the scrowle M.
1624. Wotton, Archit., in Reliq. (1651), 231. The Capitall dressed on each side, not much unlike womens Wires, in a spirall wreathing, which they call the Ionian Voluta.
1664. Evelyn, trans. Freart’s Archit., 128. The Voluta, or as we tearm it properly enough, the Scroul,… is the principal, and only appropriate member of the Ionic Capitel in imitation of a femal Ornament.
1711. W. Sutherland, Shipbuild. Assist., 6. Cupolo’s, Pilasters, Voluta’s, Columns in several noble Structures.
1715. Leoni, Palladio’s Archit. (1742), I. 19. The hollow … of the Voluta is even with the body of the Column.
1753. Hogarth, Anal. Beauty, ii. 17. The scroll or voluta, gradually lessening to its center.
transf. 1658. Sir T. Browne, Gard. Cyrus, iii. 57. In the parts thereof [sc. of plants] we finde Heliacall or spirall roundles, voluta’s, conical sections,… and frustrums of Archimedes.
