helicopter

hel·i·cop·ter  (hl-kptr)

n.

An aircraft that derives its lift from blades that rotate about an approximately vertical central axis.

intr. & tr.v. hel·i·cop·tered, hel·i·cop·ter·ing, hel·i·cop·ters

To go or transport by helicopter.

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[French hélicoptère : Greek helix, helik-, spiral; see helix + Greek pteron, wing; see -pter.]

Word History: The two Greek words that are the origin of helicopter may be particularly hard for English speakers to spot. Helicopter was borrowed from the French word hélicoptère, a word constructed from Greek heliko- and pteron, "wing." Heliko-, the combining form of helix, "spiral," has given us helico-, which can be joined with other words and word forms to create new words. The consonant cluster pt in pteron begins many Greek words but relatively few English words. English speakers unfamiliar with Greek are thus not likely to recognize the word's elements as helico-pter; many analyze the word into the elements heli-copter, as is shown by the clipped form copter.

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helicopter

Noun

an aircraft, powered by rotating overhead blades, that is capable of hovering, vertical flight, and horizontal flight in any direction [Greek helix spiral + pteron wing]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

helicopter - an aircraft without wings that obtains its lift from the rotation of overhead blades eggbeater, whirlybird, chopper vane, blade - flat surface that rotates and pushes against air or water cargo helicopter - a helicopter that carries cargo heavier-than-air craft - a non-buoyant aircraft that requires a source of power to hold it aloft and to propel it landing skid - one of two parts of the landing gear of a helicopter rotor - rotating mechanism consisting of an assembly of rotating airfoils; "there are horizontal rotors on a helicopter or compressor rotors in a jet engine" shuttle helicopter - a helicopter that shuttles back and forth single-rotor helicopter - a helicopter having a single rotor skyhook - helicopter carrying a reel of steel cable that can be used to lift and transport heavy objects

Translations

helicopter [ˈhɛlɪkɔptəʳ] n → helicóptero

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helicopter [ˈhɛlɪkɔptəʳ] n → hélicoptère m

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helicopter [ˈhɛlɪkɔptəʳ] n → Hubschrauber m

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helicopter [ˈhɛlɪkɔptəʳ] n → elicottero

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helicopter

n helicopter [ˈhelikoptə]

a flying-machine kept in the air by large propellors fixed on top of it which go round very fast. helikopter طائِرة عموديَّه: هيلوكوبتر хеликоптер helikoptéra helikopter der Hubschrauber ελικόπτερο helicóptero helikopter هليكوپتر helikopteri hélicoptère מָסוֹק हेलीकॉप्टर helicopter helikopter helikopter þyrla elicottero ヘリコプター 헬리콥터 sraigtasparnis helikopters helikopter helikopter helikopter helikopter helicóptero elicopter вертолёт helikoptéra helikopter helikopter helikopter เฮลิคอปเตอร์ helikopter 直升飛機 вертоліт پنکھ دار اڑنے والی سواری جو بالائی پنکھوں کی افقی گردش سے اوپر اٹھی رہتی ہے trực thăng 直升飞机