helm
Plural: helms
Noun
- steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered
- a position of leadership
- "the President is at the helm of the Ship of State"
- The tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; also, the entire steering apparatus of a vessel.
- The use of a helm; also, the amount of space through which a helm is turned.
- The member of a vessel's crew in charge of steering the vessel; a helmsman or helmswoman.
- Something used to control or steer; also (obsolete), a handle of a tool or weapon; a haft, a helve.
- A position of control or leadership.
- One in the position of controlling or directing; a controller, a director, a guide.
- A helmet.
- Synonym of helmet (“the feature above a shield on a coat of arms”).
- A shelter for cattle or other farm animals; a hemmel, a shed.
- A heavy cloud lying on the brow of a mountain, especially one associated with a storm.
- The crown or top of something.
- The upper part or cap of an alembic or retort.
- 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.
- 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”).
- Synonym of bentgrass (“any of numerous reedy grass species of the genus Agrostis”)
Verb
Verb Forms: helmed, helming, helms
- To steer or direct the course of a ship or activity.
- be at or take the helm of
- "helm the ship"
- To control the helm (noun sense 1) of (a marine vessel); to be in charge of steering (a vessel).
- To direct or lead (a project, etc.); to manage (an organization).
- To cover (a head) with a helmet; to provide (someone) with a helmet; to helmet.
- To lay out (stalks of corn, or straw) straight to be used for thatching roofs; to yelm.
Examples
- He tried to HELM his strategy, but the random tiles always seemed to dictate his fate.
- the helm of the Commonwealth
Origin / 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
Scrabble Score: 9
helm: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Wordhelm: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
helm: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary