Dictionary

helm en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /hɛlm/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• (General-American) audio
• hĕlm (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

The noun is derived from Middle English helm, helme (“tiller of a ship”), from Old English helma (“helm, tiller”), from Proto-Germanic *helmô (“handle; helm, tiller”), either from Proto-Indo-European *ḱel- (“to cover”) or from the same source as haulm and helm (“bentgrass, straw”) (see below), Proto-Indo-European *ḱélh₂-m(on)- (“reed, hollow stalk”), one form of which then developed a specialized meaning “handle” in Germanic. The verb is derived from the noun. Cognates * German Holm (“beam”) * Old Norse hjálm

Meanings

1. The tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to steer the rudder of a marine vessel; also, the entire steering apparatus of a vessel.
   • Nor is this vveather rare about the Æquinoctiall; by Mariners termed the Tornadoes: and tis ſo vncertaine, that novv you ſhall haue a quiet breath and gale, and ſuddenly an vnexpected violent guſt, and ſtorme, ſo fierce, that many times the ſhips vvill feele no helme. 1634, T[homas] H[erbert], “An Itinerarie of Some Yeares Trauaile, through Diuers Parts of Asia and Afrike, with the Description of the Orientall Indies, and Some Iles Adjacent. Especially the Territories of the Now Persian Monarchie: Included betwixt Mesopotamia, Indus, and the Caspian Sea”, in A Relation of Some Yeares Trauaile, Begunne Anno 1626. into Afrique and the Greater Asia, […], London: […] William Stansby, and Jacob Bloome, →OCLC, page 5:
   • Fair laughs the Morn, and ſoft the Zephyr blovvs, / VVhile proudly riding o'er the azure realm / In gallant trim the gilded Veſſel goes; / Youth on the provv, and Pleaſure at the helm; […] 1755–1757 (date written), [Thomas] Gray, “Ode VI. The Bard. Pindaric.”, in The Poems of Mr. Gray. […], York, Yorkshire: […] A[nn] Ward; and sold by J[ames] Dodsley, […]; and J[ohn] Todd, […], published 1775, →OCLC, stanza II.2, page 31:
   • Ye this is both helme & stern of al together: & that which they contended right sore to impugn, but loue of the truth, wherwith in this poynte I reckened me wel fēsed, wold not suffer me to apply & yeld to their wil, thinking, quod sanctū erat veritatē preferre amicitiæ, that the truth ought to be preferred before al frendship & amitye, & also, Si dextra manus scandalizet deberet prescidi & abijci. 1563 March 30 (Gregorian calendar), John Lambert, “The History of Master Ihon Lābert otherwise Called Nycolson, wyth the Actes and Processe of King Henrye the VIII. and the Byshops agaynst Hym, by whome He was Condempned and Burned at London. Anno. 1538.”, in John Foxe, Actes and Monuments of These Latter and Perillous Dayes, […], London: […] Iohn Day, […], →OCLC, book III, page [599]:
2. (broadly) The use of a helm (sense 1); also, the amount of space through which a helm is turned.
3. (broadly) The member of a vessel's crew in charge of steering the vessel; a helmsman or helmswoman.
4. (broadly) Something used to control or steer; also (obsolete), a handle of a tool or weapon; a haft, a helve.
   • A great axe first she gave, that two ways cut, / In which a fair well-polish'd helm was put, / That from an olive bough receiv'd his frame. 1614–1615, Homer, “The Fifth Book of Homer’s Odysseys”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., Homer’s Odysses. […], London: […] Rich[ard] Field [and William Jaggard], for Nathaniell Butter, published 1615, →OCLC; republished in The Odysseys of Homer, […], volume I, London: John Russell Smith, […], 1857, →OCLC, page 120, lines 311–313:
5. (figuratively) A position of control or leadership.
   • But although Altman is now back at the helm, OpenAI's new board has yet to offer a public explanation of what exactly went wrong, or set out what changes it will make to ensure the company is not derailed from its core mission of making computer intelligence safe for humanity. The world is waiting. 2023 November 25, Richard Waters, John Thornhill, “Tech’s philosophical rift over AI”, in FT Weekend (Big Read section), London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 6:
   • [Avram] Grant will be desperate to finish the job of getting West Ham to their first Wembley cup final in 30 years when they meet Birmingham in the second leg at St Andrews on 26 January; though arguably of more pressing concern is whether he will still be at the helm for Saturday's Premier League encounter with Arsenal. 2011 January 11, Jonathan Stevenson, “West Ham 2 – 1 Birmingham”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 17 Apr 2021:
   • Biſhop [William] Laud of London is alſo povverful in his VVay, for he ſits at the Helm of the Church, and doth more than any of the tvvo Archbiſhops, or all the reſt of his tvvo and tvventy Brethren beſides. 1629 January 10 (Gregorian calendar), James Howell, “XXXIII. To the Right Honourable Sir Peter Wichts, Ambassador at Constantinople.”, in Epistolæ Ho-Elianæ. Familiar Letters Domestic and Forren. […], 3rd edition, volume I, London: […] Humphrey Mos[e]ley, […], published 1655, →OCLC, section V, page 211:
   • the helm of the Commonwealth
6. (figuratively) One in the position of controlling or directing; a controller, a director, a guide.
   • [Y]ou ſlander / The Helmes o'th State: vvho care for you like Fathers, / VVhen you curſe them, as Enemies. c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i], page 1, column 2:

Forms

Deriveds

helm port · helmage · take the helm · weather helm · behelmed · unhelm · close helm · helm-port · dishelm · answer the helm · great helm · at the helm · uphelm · helmless · helmsperson · barrel helm · helmswoman · helmsman · autohelm

Synonyms

helmsperson

Translations (119)

sh kòrmilo (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · it timone (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · fr barre (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · ru корми́ло (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · sh ко̀рмило (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · ru штурва́л (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · fi ruori (something used to control or steer) · fi ohjain (something used to control or steer) · bg власт (position of control or leadership) · uk стернови́й (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · sv roder (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · it alla guida (position of control or leadership) · mk кормило (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · be стырнавы́ (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · de Ruder (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · bg кормчи́я (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · uk керма́нич (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · pt timão (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · es timón (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · ru ко́рмчий (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · nb ror (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · it al comando (position of control or leadership) · nl roerganger (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · kk штурман (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · it timoniere (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · ja 舵輪 (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · be стырно́ (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · gl temón (position of control or leadership) · mk кормилар (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · bg щурвал (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · gd stiùir (position of control or leadership) · nl roer (position of control or leadership) · he יָדִית הֶגֶה (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · yue 舵手 (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · sh кормѝла̄р (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · la gubernāculum (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · ast timón (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · hy ղեկ (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · ro timonă (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · cmn 舵 (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · be шту́рман (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · ko 키 (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · uk корми́ло (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · bg рулеви (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · de Steuerung (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · be штурва́л (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · mk власт (position of control or leadership) · nl helmstok (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · fi ruorin käyttö (use of a helm; amount of space through which a helm is turned) · ru шту́рман (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · da ror (position of control or leadership) · de Steuerfrau (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · da ror (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · fr timonier (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · ar دَفَّة (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · gd failm (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · cmn 舵輪 /舵轮 (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · it al timone (position of control or leadership) · ml ചുക്കാൻ (position of control or leadership) · nn ror (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · fr barreur (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · sl krma (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · sl krmilo (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · pdt Scheppstia (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · ml ചുക്കാൻ (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · fi ruorimies (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · uk шту́рман (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · sv rorsman (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · gd stiùir (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · cs kormidlo (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · ru навига́тор (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · uk штурва́л (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · cmn 舵手 (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · hu kormány (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · de Steuerruder (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · it duce (position of control or leadership) · sv roder (position of control or leadership) · fi ratti (something used to control or steer) · fi ruori (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · ko 타륜 (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · grc πηδάλιον (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · it condottiero (position of control or leadership) · el πηδάλιο (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · ru корми́ло (position of control or leadership) · sk kormidlo (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · he הֶגֶה (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · uk стерно́ (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · de Steuermann (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · fi kippari (position of control or leadership) · uk кермови́й (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · gd falmadair (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · de Steuer (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · mk кормило (position of control or leadership) · gl leme (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · ko 타 (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · ja 舵 (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · de Ruderausschlag (use of a helm; amount of space through which a helm is turned) · gl temón (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · uk кермо́ (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · be рулявы́ (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · pl ster (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · es timonel (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · fr barreuse (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · ru рулево́й (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · bg щу́рман (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · ru ко́рмчая (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · bg корми́ло (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · uk рульови́й (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · tr dümen (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · ga halmadóir (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · sh kormìlār (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · it timoniere (position of control or leadership) · he גַּלְגַל הֶגֶה (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · nb styrmann (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · da styrmand (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · bg управле́ние (position of control or leadership) · ca timó (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel) · nl stuurman (member of a vessel’s crew in charge of steering the vessel — see also helmsman, helmswoman) · ro cârmă (tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; entire steering apparatus of a vessel)

helm en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /hɛlm/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• (General-American) audio
• hĕlm (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

The noun is derived from Middle English helm, helme (“tiller of a ship”), from Old English helma (“helm, tiller”), from Proto-Germanic *helmô (“handle; helm, tiller”), either from Proto-Indo-European *ḱel- (“to cover”) or from the same source as haulm and helm (“bentgrass, straw”) (see below), Proto-Indo-European *ḱélh₂-m(on)- (“reed, hollow stalk”), one form of which then developed a specialized meaning “handle” in Germanic. The verb is derived from the noun. Cognates * German Holm (“beam”) * Old Norse hjálm

Meanings

1. (transitive) To control the helm (noun sense 1) of (a marine vessel); to be in charge of steering (a vessel).
   • [A] wild wave in the wild North-sea, / […] overbears the bark, / And him that helms it, […] 1859, Alfred Tennyson, “Elaine”, in Idylls of the King, London: Edward Moxon & Co., […], →OCLC, page 172:
   • For this light he steered, and soon he saw two tall pillars of flame blazing beside each other, with a narrow space of night between them. He helmed the ship towards these, and when he came near them they were like two mighty mountains of wood burning far into heaven, […] 1890, H[enry] Rider Haggard, Andrew Lang, “The Blood-red Sea”, in The World’s Desire, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., →OCLC, book I, page 41:
2. (figuratively, transitive) To direct or lead (a project, etc.); to manage (an organization).
   • Ile ſtriue to be nor great nor ſmale, / To liue nor die, fate helmeth all, / VVhen I can breath no longer, then, / Heauen take all, there put Amen. 1601 (date written), Iohn Marston [i.e., John Marston], What You Will, London: […] G[eorge] Eld, for Thomas Thorppe, published 1607, →OCLC, Act II, signature C3, verso:
   • But [Donald] Trump retains his iron grip on the Republican base, with the support of millions of loyal voters and allies still helming the Republican National Committee and many state party organizations. 2021 January 20, Jill Colvin, “Trump bids farewell to Washington, hints of comeback”, in AP News, archived from the original on 07 Oct 2022:
   • "I wanted to change the world, but I could not even change my underwear," sings John Grant at the piano, in a luxuriant baritone croon as thick and healthy as his beard. It’s hard to reconcile the guy who once struggled to so much as put on clean pants back in the bad old days – well-storied, not least through his own songs – with the one warmly and gracefully helming this complex, prestigious production – the penultimate date on a tour of packed concert halls, backed by an orchestra. 2014 December 1, Malcolm Jack, “John Grant with the Royal Northern Sinfonia review – positively spine-tingling”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 31 Jul 2022:
   • Helmed by chef Anton Mosimann, this is one of the most prestigious dining clubs in the world. 2023 August 23, Ellie Johnson, “Top prizes on offer at raffle for Railway Benefit Fund”, in RAIL, number 990, page 11:
   • But we hold / Thou art forsworn; and no forsworn Archbishop / Shall helm the Church. 1884, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Becket, London: Macmillan and Co., →OCLC, Act I, scene iii, page 66:
   • The very ſtreame of his life, and the buſineſſe he hath helmed, muſt vppon a vvarranted neede, giue him a better proclamation. c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 73, column 2:
   • When Mattel initially approached Smith about helming this show, he was surprised. 2021 July 26, Lauren Sarner, “Kevin Smith on ‘Masters of the Universe’ and fan backlash”, in New York Post:

Forms

Deriveds

helmer

Translations (3)

fi olla ruorissa (to control the helm of (a marine vessel); to be in charge of steering (a vessel)) · cs kormidlovat (to control the helm of (a marine vessel); to be in charge of steering (a vessel)) · cs řídit (to control the helm of (a marine vessel); to be in charge of steering (a vessel))

helm en · NOUN · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• /hɛlm/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• (General-American) audio
• hĕlm (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

From Middle English helm (“helmet; crown of thorns of Jesus; warrior; inn or shop sign”) [and other forms], from Old English helm (“helmet”), from Proto-West Germanic *helm, from Proto-Germanic *helmaz (“protective covering”), probably from Proto-Indo-European *ḱelmos, from the root *ḱel- (“to cover”). Doublet of heaume and related to helmet. Cognates * Gothic 𐌷𐌹𐌻𐌼𐍃 (hilms) * Old Frisian helm (West Frisian helm) * Old High German helm (Middle High German helm, modern German Helm; Italian elmo; Old French helme, modern French heaume; Spanish yelmo) * Old Norse hjalmr (Danish hjelm, Norwegian hjelm, Swedish hjälm) * Old Saxon helm (Low German Helm, Middle Dutch helm, modern Dutch helm)

Meanings

1. (archaic, poetic, transitive) A helmet.
   • The maſſy golden Helm ſhe next aſſumes, / That dreadful nods vvith four o'erſhading Plumes; / So vaſt, the broad Circumference contains / A hundred Armies on a hundred Plains. 1716, Homer, “Book V”, in Alexander Pope, transl., The Iliad of Homer, volume II, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC, page 59, lines 918–921:
   • Their plumed helmes are wrought with beaten golde, / Their ſwords enameld, and about their neckes / Hangs maſſie chaines of golde downe to the waſte, / In euery part exceding braue and rich. c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene ii:
   • O're Shields and Helmes, and helmed heads he rode / Of Thrones and mighty Seraphim proſtrate, / That vviſh'd the Mountains novv might be again / Throvvn on them as a ſhelter from his ire. 1667, John Milton, “Book VI”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC, lines 840–843:
   • From 'neath his gilded helm his golden hair / Fell waving down, but hidden were his eyes / By the wide brim: […] 1870, William Morris, “November: The Lovers of Gudrun”, in The Earthly Paradise: A Poem, part III, London: F[rederick] S[tartridge] Ellis, […], →OCLC, page 480:
   • "A fearful apparition," murmured Norman of Torn. "No wonder he keeps his helm closed." 1914 January–May, Edgar Rice Burroughs, chapter VII, in The Outlaw of Torn, Chicago, Ill.: A[lexander] C[aldwell] McClurg, published 1927, →OCLC; republished as The Outlaw of Torn (Project Gutenberg; EBook #369), 11 November 2020:
   • The ordered system of symbols which we know as heraldry came into being in the twelfth century to meet a military need. These symbols were emblazoned on shields, surcoats and fighting flags, and served as an invaluable means of identification when the features were obscured by the great helm. 1956 July, Col. H. C. B. Rogers, “Railway Heraldry”, in Railway Magazine, page 476:
2. (Northern-England, broadly, transitive) A shelter for cattle or other farm animals; a hemmel, a shed.
3. (broadly, qualifier:Northern England (Cumberland, Westmorland), transitive) A heavy cloud lying on the brow of a mountain, especially one associated with a storm.
   • Then ancient Skiddaw, stern and proud, / In sullen majesty replying, / Thus spake from out of his helm of cloud […] 1800 November (date written; published 1806), Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “[Sibylline Leaves.] A Stranger Minstrel. [Written to Mrs. [Mary] Robinson, a Few Weeks before Her Death.]”, in The Poetical and Dramatic Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge […], volume II, London: Macmillan and Co., published 1880, →OCLC, page 159:
4. (broadly, dialectal, qualifier:obsolete except UK, transitive) The crown or top of something.
5. (broadly, obsolete, transitive) The upper part or cap of an alembic or retort.
   • The Dragons teeth, Mercurie ſublimate, / That keepes the vvhiteneſſe, hardneſſe and the biting; / And they are gather’d, into Iaſon’s helme, / (Th’Alembeke) and then ſovv’d in Mars his field, / And, thence, ſublim’d ſo often, till they are fix’d. 1610 (first performance), Ben[jamin] Jonson, The Alchemist, London: […] Thomas Snodham, for Walter Burre, and are to be sold by Iohn Stepneth, […], published 1612, →OCLC, Act II, scene i:

Forms

Deriveds

helmed · behelm

Translations (1)

fi myrskypilvi (heavy cloud lying on the brow of a mountain)

helm en · VERB · etymology 3

Pronunciation

• /hɛlm/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• (General-American) audio
• hĕlm (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

From Middle English helmen, helmi (“to provide with a helmet; (figuratively) to cover; to protect”), from Old English helmian (“to cover”), ġehelmian (“to cover with a helmet; to crown”), from (ġe- (prefix with an intensifying effect, or forming nouns or verbs denoting processes or results) +) helm (“helmet”) (see further at etymology 2) + -ian (suffix forming verbs from adjectives and nouns).

Meanings

1. (archaic, poetic, transitive) To cover (a head) with a helmet; to provide (someone) with a helmet; to helmet.
   • Then from the bank / He sprung, and helm'd his head. 1796, Robert Southey, “Book the Seventh”, in Joan of Arc, an Epic Poem, Bristol: […] Bulgin and Rosser, for Joseph Cottle, […], and Cadell and Davies, and G. G. and J. Robinson, […], →OCLC, page 245, lines 479–480:
   • Oh Noble Conon, / You taught my tender Hands the Trade of VVar; / And novv again you Helm your hoary Head, / And under double vveight of Age and Arms, / Aſſert your Countries Freedom, and my Crovvn. c. 1684 – 1691 (date written), [John] Dryden, King Arthur: Or, the British Worthy. A Dramatick Opera. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], published 1691, →OCLC, Act I, page 3:

Forms

Synonyms

behelm

Translations (1)

fi suojata kypärällä (to cover (a head) with a helmet; to provide (someone) with a helmet — see also helmet)

helm en · NOUN · etymology 4

Pronunciation

• /hɛlm/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• (General-American) audio
• hĕlm (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

The noun is possibly: * a variant of haulm; or * from its etymon Middle English halm, helm, Early Middle English healm (“straw, stubble; stalk (?); handle of a tool or weapon”) [and other forms], from Old English healm (“stalk of a grass or plant; hay, straw, stubble”) or an unattested variant *helm, from Proto-Germanic *helmaz (see Proto-West Germanic *helm) or *halmaz (“stalk of a grass or plant; hay, straw”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱelh₂- (“to prick, stab, stick”). The verb is either derived from the noun, or is possibly a variant of yelm. Cognates Dutch helm (“haulm”); helm, hellem, hellim (“straw”) (dialectal) Low German helm (“haulm”) (hallem (Heligoland), halm (Holstein))

Meanings

1. (countable, transitive) A stalk of corn, or (uncountable) stalks of corn collectively (that is, straw), especially when bundled together or laid out straight to be used for thatching roofs.
2. (alt-of, alternative, transitive, uncountable) Alternative form of haulm (“the stems of various cultivated plants, left after harvesting the crop, which are used as animal food or litter, or for thatching”).
   alt of haulm
   • The sheriff, John Griffith, had prepared green wood to burn him; but one master John Pikes, pitying the man, caused divers to go with him to Ridland, half a mile off, who brought good store of helme-sheaves, which indeed made good dispatch with little pain, in comparison to that he should have suffered with the green wood. 1583, John Foxe, “Notes Omitted of Them that Were Burnt at Bristol”, in Stephen Reed Cattley, editor, The Acts and Monuments of John Foxe: […], new edition, volume VIII, London: R. B. Seeley and W. Burnside; and sold by L. & G. Seeley, […], published 1839, →OCLC, page 737:
3. (obsolete, transitive, uncountable) Synonym of bentgrass (“any of numerous reedy grass species of the genus Agrostis”)
   • The Italians, and Spaniards, call it Sparto, and the ſecond ſort Albardi, The Dutch Halm. And vve in Engliſh, Helme, and Matvveede, but the people all along the Coaſts of Norfolke and Suffolke, call it Marram, and may be called Sea Ruſhes as vvell. 1640, John Parkinson, “Spartum herba sive Inncus. Matt Weed or Mat Rushes.”, in Theatrum Botanicum: The Theater of Plants. Or, An Herball of a Large Extent: […], London: […] Tho[mas] Cotes, →OCLC, page 1200:

Forms

Synonyms

thatch · yelm · bentgrass

helm en · VERB · etymology 4

Pronunciation

• /hɛlm/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• (General-American) audio
• hĕlm (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

The noun is possibly: * a variant of haulm; or * from its etymon Middle English halm, helm, Early Middle English healm (“straw, stubble; stalk (?); handle of a tool or weapon”) [and other forms], from Old English healm (“stalk of a grass or plant; hay, straw, stubble”) or an unattested variant *helm, from Proto-Germanic *helmaz (see Proto-West Germanic *helm) or *halmaz (“stalk of a grass or plant; hay, straw”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱelh₂- (“to prick, stab, stick”). The verb is either derived from the noun, or is possibly a variant of yelm. Cognates Dutch helm (“haulm”); helm, hellem, hellim (“straw”) (dialectal) Low German helm (“haulm”) (hallem (Heligoland), halm (Holstein))

Meanings

1. (transitive) To lay out (stalks of corn, or straw) straight to be used for thatching roofs; to yelm.

Forms

Translations (1)

fi levittää (to lay out (stalks of corn, or straw) straight to be used for thatching roofs — see also yelm)