helm
1
[ helm ]
/ hɛlm /
noun
Nautical.
- a wheel or tiller by which a ship is steered.
- the entire steering apparatus of a ship.
- the angle with the fore-and-aft line made by a rudder when turned: 15-degree helm.
the place or post of control: A stern taskmaster was at the helm of the company.
verb (used with object)
to steer; direct.
Origin of helm
1
before 900; Middle English
helme, Old English
helma; cognate with Middle High German
halme, helm handle, Old Norse
hjalm rudder
OTHER WORDS FROM helm
helm·less, adjectiveWords nearby helm
hellman, lillian,
hello,
hello money,
hells canyon,
helluva,
helm,
helm port,
helmand,
helmer,
helmet,
helmet liner
Definition for helm (2 of 2)
helm
2
[ helm ]
/ hɛlm /
noun
Also heaume. Also called great helm.
a medieval helmet, typically formed as a single cylindrical piece with a flat or raised top, completely enclosing the head.
Archaic.
a helmet.
verb (used with object)
to furnish or cover with a helmet.
Origin of helm
2
before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch, German
helm; akin to Old English
helan to cover. See
hull1
Example sentences from the Web for helm
British Dictionary definitions for helm (1 of 2)
helm
1
/ (hɛlm) /
noun
nautical
- the wheel, tiller, or entire apparatus by which a vessel is steered
- the position of the helm: that is, on the side of the keel opposite from that of the rudder
a position of leadership or control (esp in the phrase at the helm)
verb
(tr)
to direct or steer
Derived forms of helm
helmless, adjectiveWord Origin for helm
Old English
helma; related to Old Norse
hjalm rudder, Old High German
halmo
British Dictionary definitions for helm (2 of 2)
helm
2
/ (hɛlm) /
noun
an archaic or poetic word for helmet
verb
(tr) archaic, or poetic
to supply with a helmet
Word Origin for helm
Old English
helm; related to
helan to cover, Old Norse
hjalmr, Gothic
hilms, Old High German
helm helmet, Sanskrit
śárman protection
Idioms and Phrases with helm
helm
see at the helm.