helicopter

See also: helicòpter

English

A helicopter (flying machine).
a samara or helicopter

Etymology

Borrowed from French hélicoptère, from Ancient Greek ἕλιξ (hélix, spiral) + πτερόν (pterón, wing). Doublet of helicopteron. The dragonfly sense is from a dragonfly's ability to hover and fly in any direction, like the manmade flying machine.

Pronunciation

  • (General Australian) IPA(key): /ˈheliˌkɔptə(ɹ)/
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈhɛl.iˌkɒp.tə(ɹ)/, /ˈhɛl.ɪˌkɒp.tə(ɹ)/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈhɛlɨˌkɑptɚ/
  • (file)

Noun

helicopter (plural helicopters)

  1. (aviation) An aircraft that is borne along by one or more sets of long rotating blades which allow it to hover, move in any direction including reverse, or land; and typically having a smaller set of blades on its tail that stabilize the aircraft.
    We flew over the city in a helicopter.
  2. A powered troweling machine with spinning blades used to spread concrete.
  3. (botany) The winged fruit of certain trees, such as ash, elm, and maple.
  4. (zoology, slang) A dragonfly.
  5. A whirling trick performed with devil sticks.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Descendants

  • Cebuano: helikopter
  • Malay: helikopter
  • Tagalog: helikopter

Translations

Verb

helicopter (third-person singular simple present helicopters, present participle helicoptering, simple past and past participle helicoptered)

  1. (transitive) To transport by helicopter.
  2. (intransitive) To travel by helicopter.
  3. To rotate like a helicopter blade.
    helicoptering his jacket, helicoptering his arms
  4. To overprotect one's children, as a helicopter parent does.

Translations

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Romanian

Noun

helicopter n (plural helicoptere)

  1. Alternative form of elicopter

Declension

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