helm

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a position of leadership

   the President is at the helm of the Ship of State

2. 2
   verb

   be at or take the helm of

   helm the ship

3. 3
   noun

   The tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to steer the rudder of a marine vessel; also, the entire steering apparatus of a vessel.

   Ye this is both helme & stern of al together: & that which they contended right sore to impugn, but loue of the truth, wherwith in this poynte I reckened me wel fēsed, wold not suffer me to apply & yeld to their wil, thinking, quod sanctū erat veritatē preferre amicitiæ, that the truth ought to be preferred before al frendship & amitye, & also, Si dextra manus scandalizet deberet prescidi & abijci.

4. 4
   noun

   Something used to control or steer; also (obsolete), a handle of a tool or weapon; a haft, a helve.

   A great axe first she gave, that two ways cut, / In which a fair well-polish'd helm was put, / That from an olive bough receiv'd his frame.

5. 5
   noun

   A position of control or leadership.

   the helm of the Commonwealth

6. 6
   noun

   One in the position of controlling or directing; a controller, a director, a guide.

   [Y]ou ſlander / The Helmes o'th State: vvho care for you like Fathers, / VVhen you curſe them, as Enemies.

7. 7
   verb

   To control the helm (noun sense 1) of (a marine vessel); to be in charge of steering (a vessel).

   [A] wild wave in the wild North-sea, / […] overbears the bark, / And him that helms it, […]

8. 8
   verb

   To direct or lead (a project, etc.); to manage (an organization).

   Ile ſtriue to be nor great nor ſmale, / To liue nor die, fate helmeth all, / VVhen I can breath no longer, then, / Heauen take all, there put Amen.

Etymology

The noun is possibly: * a variant of haulm; or * from its etymon Middle English halm, helm, Early Middle English healm (“straw, stubble; stalk (?); handle of a tool or weapon”) [and other forms], from Old English healm (“stalk of a grass or plant; hay, straw, stubble”) or an unattested variant *helm, from Proto-Germanic *helmaz (see Proto-West Germanic *helm) or *halmaz (“stalk of a grass or plant; hay, straw”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱelh₂- (“to prick, stab, stick”). The verb is either derived from the noun, or is possibly a variant of yelm. Cognates Dutch helm (“haulm”); helm,…