helicopter

English

/ˈheliˌkɔptə(ɹ)/, /ˈhɛl.iˌkɒp.tə(ɹ)/, /ˈhɛlɨˌkɑptɚ/

noun
Definitions
  • 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 that stabilize the aircraft.
  • A powered troweling machine with spinning blades used to spread concrete.
  • The winged fruit of certain trees, such as ash, elm, and maple.
  • (slang) A dragonfly.
  • A whirling trick performed with devil sticks.

Etymology

Borrowed from French hélicoptère.

Origin

French

hélicoptère

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms