helm

Meaning

Noun

1. The tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; also, the entire steering apparatus of a vessel.
2. The use of a helm (sense 1); also, the amount of space through which a helm is turned.
3. The member of a vessel's crew in charge of steering the vessel; a helmsman or helmswoman.
4. Something used to control or steer; also (obsolete), a handle of a tool or weapon; a haft, a helve.
5. A position of control or leadership.
6. One in the position of controlling or directing; a controller, a director, a guide.

Verb

1. To control the helm (noun sense 1) of (a marine vessel); to be in charge of steering (a vessel).
2. To direct or lead (a project, etc.); to manage (an organization).

Verb

To cover (a head) with a helmet; to provide (someone) with a helmet; to helmet.

Verb

To lay out (stalks of corn, or straw) straight to be used for thatching roofs; to yelm.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/hɛlm/

Etymology

The 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.
The verb is derived from the noun.
cognates
* German Holm (“beam”)
* Old Norse hjálm