Dictionary-Definition.com :: Helm definition

Definition of 'helm'

noun

Steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered

noun

A position of leadership; "the President is at the helm of the Ship of State"

verb

Be at or take the helm of; "helm the ship"

From: GCIDE

Helm \Helm\, n. [OE. helme, AS. helma rudder; akin to D. & G. helm, Icel. hj[=a]lm, and perh. to E. helve.] [1913 Webster]
1. (Naut.) The apparatus by which a ship is steered, comprising rudder, tiller, wheel, etc.; -- commonly used of the tiller or wheel alone. [1913 Webster]
2. The place or office of direction or administration. "The helm of the Commonwealth." --Melmoth. [1913 Webster]
3. One at the place of direction or control; a steersman; hence, a guide; a director. [1913 Webster]
The helms o' the State, who care for you like fathers. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
4. [Cf. Helve.] A helve. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster]
Helm amidships, when the tiller, rudder, and keel are in the same plane.
Helm aport, when the tiller is borne over to the port side of the ship.
Helm astarboard, when the tiller is borne to the starboard side.
Helm alee, Helm aweather, when the tiller is borne over to the lee or to the weather side.
Helm hard alee, Helm hard aport, Helm hard astarboard, etc., when the tiller is borne over to the extreme limit.
Helm port, the round hole in a vessel's counter through which the rudderstock passes.
Helm down, helm alee.
Helm up, helm aweather.
To ease the helm, to let the tiller come more amidships, so as to lessen the strain on the rudder.
To feel the helm, to obey it.
To right the helm, to put it amidships.
To shift the helm, to bear the tiller over to the corresponding position on the opposite side of the vessel. --Ham. Nav. Encyc. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

From: GCIDE

Helm \Helm\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Helmed; p. pr. & vb. n. Helming.] To steer; to guide; to direct. [R.] [1913 Webster]
The business he hath helmed. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
A wild wave . . . overbears the bark, And him that helms it. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Helm \Helm\, n. [AS. See Helmet.]
1. A helmet. [Poetic] [1913 Webster]
2. A heavy cloud lying on the brow of a mountain. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Helm \Helm\, v. t. To cover or furnish with a helm or helmet. [Perh. used only as a past part. or part. adj.] [1913 Webster]
She that helmed was in starke stours. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

heaume \heaume\ n.
1. a large medieval helmet supported on the shoulders; called also helm. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]