helicopter

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   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.

2. 2
   verb

   To transport by helicopter.

   Car drivers were helicoptered to safety from nearby roads. There were photographs of people canoeing down streets.

3. 3
   verb

   To rotate like a helicopter blade.

   helicoptering his jacket, helicoptering his arms

4. 4
   verb

   To overprotect one's children, as a helicopter parent does.

   Near-synonym: hover

5. 5
   noun

   an aircraft without wings that obtains its lift from the rotation of overhead blades

6. 6
   noun

   A powered troweling machine with spinning blades used to spread concrete.

7. 7
   noun

   The winged fruit of certain trees, such as ash, elm, and maple.

8. 8
   noun

   A dragonfly; so named due to its resemblance to a helicopter (sense 1).

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.