spindle-shaped
Thick middle, narrow tips
Spindle-shaped describes something narrow at both ends and thicker in the middle, like the spindle used in hand-spinning thread.
The term appears in biology for cells, bacteria, or organisms with this tapered form: spindle-shaped muscle fibers, a spindle-shaped virus.
Also called fusiform.
Gradually narrowing in width
- fusiformCigar-shaped, tapered bilaterally
- elongatedStretched beyond usual dimensions
- pointedTapering to a tip
- streamlinedMade smooth and efficient
ellipsoidal · lanceolate · acuminate · attenuated · ovoid · prolate · narrowed · symmetrical
Cigar-shaped, tapered bilaterally
- muscleContractile body tissue
- fiberPlant-based digestive aid
- cellBasic unit of life
- nucleusCentral controlling part
erythrocyte · neuron · ganglion · bacillus · organism · microbe · flagellate · diatom
Made smooth and efficient
- torpedoPropelled undersea explosive
- submarineUnderwater naval craft
- barracudaLarge predatory saltwater fish
- tunaLarge edible ocean fish
mackerel · dolphin · shark · squid · nautilus · hull · kayak · canoe
Oval solid shape
- spheroidNearly round solid
- prolateExtended at poles
- oblateSquashed-sphere shape
- axisRotation reference line
revolution · solid · volume · surface · biconvex · torus · geoid · truncated
tapered
Gradually narrowing in width
- fusiformCigar-shaped, tapered bilaterally
- elongatedStretched beyond usual dimensions
- pointedTapering to a tip
streamlined · ellipsoidal · lanceolate · acuminate · attenuated · ovoid · prolate · narrowed · symmetrical · cylindrical
fusiform
Cigar-shaped, tapered bilaterally
nucleus · erythrocyte · neuron · ganglion · bacillus · organism · microbe · flagellate · diatom · paramecium
streamlined
Made smooth and efficient
- torpedoPropelled undersea explosive
- submarineUnderwater naval craft
- barracudaLarge predatory saltwater fish
tuna · mackerel · dolphin · shark · squid · nautilus · hull · kayak · canoe · speedboat
ellipsoid
Oval solid shape
axis · revolution · solid · volume · surface · biconvex · torus · geoid · truncated · radius
zeppelin
Rigid lighter-than-air craft
- blimpNon-rigid flying vessel
- airshipSteerable lighter-than-atmosphere craft
- dirigibleSteerable lighter-than-air craft
fuselage · rocket · missile · glider · aerodynamic · airfoil · drag · velocity · projectile · bullet
lanceolate
Narrow and tapering
root · tuber · radish · carrot · daikon · beet · parsnip · bulb · bud · petal
- microbiologybacteria, bacterium, microbe, microbes, microorganisms