helicopter
/ˈheliːˌkɔptə(ɹ)/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.13 in modern English
17
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
4
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
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.
noun
A whirling trick performed with devil sticks.
noun
A breakdance move in which the dancer spins on the floor while extending the legs to resemble the blades of a helicopter.
Example Sentences
- "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."
- "Investigators trying to determine what caused last week’s deadly midair collision between a US military Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines plane near Washington, DC, briefed lawmakers Thursday on what they’ve learned after combing through data from both aircraft and air traffic control."
- "Car drivers were helicoptered to safety from nearby roads. There were photographs of people canoeing down streets."
- "helicoptering his jacket, helicoptering his arms"
- "Near-synonym: hover"
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *welH-der. Ancient Greek ἕλιξ (hélix) Proto-Indo-European *peth₂- Proto-Indo-European *-r̥ Proto-Indo-European *péth₂r̥ Proto-Hellenic *pterón Ancient Greek πτερόν (pterón) French hélicoptèrebor. English helicopter 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.
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈheliːˌkɔptə(ɹ)/
- British English: /ˈhɛl.iˌkɒp.tə(ɹ)/