Helm

Pronunciation

• enPR: hÄ•lm, IPA: /hÉ›lm/
• Rhymes: -É›lm

From Old English helma, from Proto-Germanic *helmô ("handle").

Full definition of helm

Noun

1. (nautical) The steering apparatus of a ship, especially the tiller or wheel.
2. (maritime) The member of the crew in charge of steering the boat.
3. (figurative) A position of leadership or control.the helm of the Commonwealth
• 2011, January 11, Jonathan Stevenson, West Ham 2 - 1 Birmingham, 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.
4. One at the place of direction or control; a guide; a director.
• Shakespearethe helms o' the State, who care for you like fathers
5. (heraldry) A helmet.
6. (obsolete, UK, dialect) A helve.

Derived terms

• at the helm
• take the helm

Verb

1. To be a helmsman or a member of the helm; to be in charge of steering the boat.
• TennysonA wild wave ... overbears the bark,
  And him that helms it.
2. (by extension) To lead (a project, etc.).
• Shakespearethe business he hath helmed

From Middle English, from Old English helm, Proto-Germanic *helmaz ("protective covering"), probably from Proto-Indo-European *kelmo-s ("to cover, to hide"); cf. *ḱel- ("to hide, protect"). Compare West Frisian helm, Dutch helm, Low German Helm, German Helm, Danish hjelm.

Noun

1. (archaic) A helmet.
• Luken sweord longe, leiden o þe helmen. — Layamon's Brut, 1275
2. (They drew their swords and put on their helmen.)
• Þe helm of hel and þe swerd of þe Spirit. — An Apology for Lollard Doctrines, Attributed to Wycliffe, 1475
• The kynge Ban be-gan to laugh vndir his helme. — Merlin, 1500
• 1927 , Edgar Rice Burrows , The Outlaw of Torn Chapter , "A fearful apparition," murmured Norman of Torn. "No wonder he keeps his helm closed."
3. A heavy cloud lying on the brow of a mountain.

Derived terms

• behelm

Noun

1. Alternative form of haulm (a straw)----