helm 1
— helmless , adj.
/helm/ , n.
1. Naut.
a. a wheel or tiller by which a ship is steered.
b. the entire steering apparatus of a ship.
c. the angle with the fore-and-aft line made by a rudder when turned: 15-degree helm.
2. the place or post of control: A stern taskmaster was at the helm of the company.
v.t.
3. to steer; direct.
[ bef. 900; ME helme, OE helma; c. MHG halme, helm handle, ON hjalm rudder ]
helm 2
/helm/ , n.
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.
v.t.
3. to furnish or cover with a helmet.
[ bef. 900; ME, OE; c. D, G helm; akin to OE helan to cover. See HULL 1 ]