helicon

[ hel-i-kon, -kuh n ]
/ ˈhɛl ɪˌkɒn, -kən /

noun

a coiled tuba carried over the shoulder and used especially in military bands.
Compare sousaphone.

Origin of helicon

1520–30; probably special use of Helicon, by association with helico-

Words nearby helicon

helicline, helico-, helicograph, helicoid, helicoid cyme, helicon, helicopod gait, helicopt, helicopter, helicopter gunship, helicopter parent

Definition for helicon (2 of 2)

Helicon
[ hel-i-kon, -kuh n ]
/ ˈhɛl ɪˌkɒn, -kən /

noun

a mountain in S central Greece. 5738 feet (1749 meters): regarded by ancient Greeks as the abode of Apollo and the Muses.

Example sentences from the Web for helicon

British Dictionary definitions for helicon (1 of 2)

helicon
/ (ˈhɛlɪkən) /

noun

a bass tuba made to coil over the shoulder of a band musician

Word Origin for helicon

C19: probably from Helicon, associated with Greek helix spiral

British Dictionary definitions for helicon (2 of 2)

Helicon
/ (ˈhɛlɪkən) /

noun

a mountain in Greece, in Boeotia: location of the springs of Hippocrene and Aganippe, believed by the Ancient Greeks to be the source of poetic inspiration and the home of the Muses. Height: 1749 m (5738 ft) Modern Greek name: Elikón