verb (used with object)
3.
to steer; direct.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English helme, Old English helma; cognate with Middle High German halme, helm handle, Old Norse hjalm rudder
before 900; Middle English helme, Old English helma; cognate with Middle High German halme, helm handle, Old Norse hjalm rudder
Related forms
helm·less, adjective
00:10
Helm
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
noun
1.
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.
2.
Archaic. a helmet.
verb (used with object)
3.
to furnish or cover with a helmet.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch, German helm; akin to Old English helan to cover. See hull1
before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch, German helm; akin to Old English helan to cover. See hull1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To helm
Collins
World English Dictionary
helm1 (hɛlm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | nautical |
| a. the wheel, tiller, or entire apparatus by which a vessel is steered | |
| b. the position of the helm: that is, on the side of the keel opposite from that of the rudder | |
| 2. | a position of leadership or control (esp in the phrase at the helm) |
| —vb | |
| 3. | (tr) to direct or steer |
| [Old English helma; related to Old Norse hjalm rudder, Old High German halmo] | |
| 'helmless1 | |
| —adj | |
| helm2 (hɛlm) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | an archaic or poetic word for helmet |
| —vb | |
| 2. | archaic, poetic or (tr) to supply with a helmet |
| [Old English helm; related to helan to cover, Old Norse hjalmr, Gothic hilms, Old High German helm helmet, Sanskrit śárman protection] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
helm
"tiller," from O.E. helma "position of guidance, control," from P.Gmc. *khelman- (cf. O.N. hjalm, N.H.G. helm "handle").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Abbreviations & Acronyms
| HELM Health and Environment Library Modules |
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Example sentences
The crew worked the helm and throttles actively, sometimes slowing abruptly to keep the bow from battering the heaviest waves.
He instructed the officer on watch to take manual control of the helm.
They point to the many hedge funds of doubtful quality, with inexperienced managers or even charlatans at the helm.
But it would be equally irresponsible to suggest that those at the helm do not possess entrenched power.
Idioms & Phrases
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