helm
The tiller which is used to steer the rudder of a marine vesselThe 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.
» Tom took the helm.
Meaning
13 sensesThe 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.
Ruder, Steuer, Steuerruder
корми́лоkormílo, штурва́лšturvál
кермо́kermó, корми́лоkormýlo, стерно́sternó
steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered
(broadly)The use of a helm (sense 1); also, the amount of space through which a helm is turned.
Ruderausschlag
(broadly)The member of a vessel's crew in charge of steering the vessel; a helmsman or helmswoman.
Steuermann, Steuerfrau
ко́рмчийkórmčij, ко́рмчаяkórmčaja, навига́торnavigátor
керма́ничkermányč, кермови́йkermovýj, рульови́йrulʹovýj
(broadly)Something used to control or steer; also (obsolete), a handle of a tool or weapon; a haft, a helve.
(figuratively)A position of control or leadership.
the helm of the Commonwealth
корми́лоkormílo
(figurative) a position of leadership
(figuratively)One in the position of controlling or directing; a controller, a director, a guide.
(Northern England, broadly, transitive)A shelter for cattle or other farm animals; a hemmel, a shed.
(broadly, transitive)A heavy cloud lying on the brow of a mountain, especially one associated with a storm.
(broadly, dialectal, transitive)The crown or top of something.
(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.
(archaic, poetic, transitive)A helmet.
(broadly, obsolete, transitive)The upper part or cap of an alembic or retort.
Examples
7 sentencesTom took the helm.
This great helm weighs quite a bit.
Without thinking twice, I grabbed the helm.
deOhne lange nachzudenken ergriff ich das Steuerrad des Schiffes. — al_ex_an_der
Bad people are at the helm of the nation.
ruПлохие люди управляют народом. — odexed
deSchlechte Menschen stehen am Steuer des Landes. — Yorwba
The captain stood abaft the helm, steering the ship.
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 2
By meaning 2
By meaning 3
Origin
The noun is derived from Middle English helm, helme (“tiller of a ship”), from Old EnglishThe 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.
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.
The noun is possibly:
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