helm
pronunciation
How to pronounce helm in British English:
UK [helm]
How to pronounce helm in American English:
US [hɛlm]
-
- Noun:
- steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered
- a position of leadership
Word Origin
- helm (n.1)
- "instrument by which a ship is steered," late 13c., from Old English helma "rudder; position of guidance, control," from Proto-Germanic *halbma- (cognates: Old Norse hjalm, Old High German helmo, German Helm "handle"), from PIE *kelp- "to hold, grasp" (see helve). Helm - the handle or tiller, in large ships the wheel, by which the runner is managed; the word is sometimes used with reference to the whole stearing-gear. Rudder - that part of the helm which consists of a broad piece of timber, enters the water, and is governed by means of the wheel or tiller. Tiller - the bar or lever by means of which the rudder of a ship or boat is turned. [J.H.A. Günther, "English Synonyms Explained & Illustrated," Groningen, 1904]
- helm (n.2)
- "a helmet," c. 1200, from Old English helm "protection, covering; crown, helmet," and perhaps also from cognate Old Norse hjalmr, from Proto-Germanic *helmaz "protective covering," from PIE *kel- (2) "to cover, to hide" (see cell). Italian elmo, Spanish yelmo are from Germanic.
Example
- 1. In 2004 , bhusri and duffield were at the helm of another human resources software firm , peoplesoft .
- 2. Heather bresch has been at the helm of pharmaceutical-maker mylan ( myl ) since 2012 .
- 3. As danger grew , investors wanted a manager at the helm , so rubin relinquished the ceo role .
- 4. When schmidt was at the helm page was free to pursue whatever interested him .
- 5. Ken lewis continues to grip the helm at bank of america , insisting that he is " the one most capable of getting us to the other side " .