I. ˈhelə̇ˌkäptə(r), -lēˌk- also ˈhēl- or sometimes substand ˈhēlēəˌk- or ˈhēlyəˌk- sometimes ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷( ̷ ̷)ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French hélicoptère, from hélico- (from Greek heliko- helic-) + ptère (from Greek pteron wing) — more at feather
: an aircraft whose support in the air is derived chiefly from the aerodynamic forces acting on one or more rotors turning about substantially vertical axes
II. verb
or heli·copt -pt
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
: to travel by or as if by helicopter
can helicopter from the station to the airfield
winged seeds that … come helicoptering down — Richard Church
transitive verb
: to transport by helicopter
helicoptered the officials aboard the ship