I. ˈhelm, ˈheu̇m noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English — more at helmet
1. : helmet 1 ; specifically : heaume
2. dialect England
a. or helm cloud : a heavy cloud lying over a mountain top
b. or helm wind : a gale of wind from the mountains accompanying a helm cloud
3. dialect Britain : a rough shed or shelter for cattle
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English helmen, from Old English helmian, from helm, n., helmet
: to cover or furnish with a helmet
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English helme, from Old English helma; akin to Old High German helmo tiller, Middle High German helm, halm, halme handle, Old Norse hjalm rudder, helm, and probably to Old English sciell shell — more at shell
1.
a. : a lever or wheel controlling the rudder of a ship for steering : the tiller or the wheel of a ship ; broadly : the entire apparatus by which a ship is steered
b. : a position of a tiller attached forward of the rudder or a corresponding position of a wheel
gave the command “up helm ”
with helm hard aport
— compare right rudder , weather helm
c. : deviation of the position of the helm from the amidships position
15-degree helm
sometimes no amount of opposite helm will straighten the boat — C.D.Lane
2. : a position of control or of highest executive power (as in an organization) : head
IV. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to direct with or as if with a helm : steer