helicopter
verb
- to transport or travel by helicopter
noun
- vehicle which flies via rotating blades
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈheliˌkɔptə(ɹ)/ / /ˈhɛl.iˌkɒp.tə(ɹ)/ / /ˈhɛl.ɪˌkɒp.tə(ɹ)/
noun
Etymology: Borrowed from French hélicoptère, from Ancient Greek ἕλιξ (hélix, “spiral”) + πτερόν (pterón, “wing”). Doublet of helicopteron. By surface analysis, helico- + -pter. The dragonfly sense is from a dragonfly's ability to hover and fly in any direction, like the flying machine.
- 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 to stabilize the aircraft.
“We flew over the city in a helicopter.”
“I’ve flown in flimsy microlights, soaring serenely above rich farmland. I’ve ridden tactical combat helicopters missions, skimming the desert floor and banking hard around sand dunes.”
- A powered troweling machine with spinning blades used to spread concrete.
- The winged fruit of certain trees, such as ash, elm, and maple.
- A dragonfly; so named due to its resemblance to a helicopter (sense 1).
- A whirling trick performed with devil sticks.
- A breakdance move in which the dancer spins on the floor while extending the legs to resemble the blades of a helicopter.
verb
Etymology: Borrowed from French hélicoptère, from Ancient Greek ἕλιξ (hélix, “spiral”) + πτερόν (pterón, “wing”). Doublet of helicopteron. By surface analysis, helico- + -pter. The dragonfly sense is from a dragonfly's ability to hover and fly in any direction, like the flying machine.
- To transport by helicopter.
“Car drivers were helicoptered to safety from nearby roads. There were photographs of people canoeing down streets.”
- To travel by helicopter.
- To rotate like a helicopter blade.
“helicoptering his jacket, helicoptering his arms”
- To overprotect one's children, as a helicopter parent does.
“Near-synonym: hover”