helmet

[hel-mit] /ˈhɛl mɪt/
noun
1.
any of various forms of protective head covering worn by soldiers, firefighters, divers, cyclists, etc.
2.
medieval armor for the head.
3.
(in fencing, singlestick, etc.) a protective device for the head and face consisting of reinforced wire mesh.
4.
anything resembling a helmet in form or position.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English < Middle French healmet, helmet, diminutive of helme helm2
Related forms
helmeted, adjective
helmetlike, adjective
unhelmeted, adjective
Examples from the web for helmet
  • The beach cruiser bikes come fully loaded with helmet, basket, and total adorableness.
  • On his lips he wore white sun block, and on his head a fighter pilot's helmet, complete with a transceiver.
  • We are briefed on helicopter safety and given a helmet with a cord to plug into the helicopter's voice system.
  • The watchman was fitted out with a helmet, gorget and a cloak.
  • The termites ate holes in my helmet and also in the cover of my cot.
  • The university said the mistakes were those of the sculptor, who also included a too-modern helmet.
  • Please buy yourself a helmet, a face mask, and knee pads.
  • Silver helmet, sometimes worn at a rakish angle when the heat and humidity made it slip off his head.
  • One prototype, a stereoscopic helmet worn by the surgeon, left users seasick after only a few minutes.
  • But blue-helmet work does not demand shiny new hardware.
British Dictionary definitions for helmet

helmet

/ˈhɛlmɪt/
noun
1.
a piece of protective or defensive armour for the head worn by soldiers, policemen, firemen, divers, etc
2.
(biology) a part or structure resembling a helmet, esp the upper part of the calyx of certain flowers
Derived Forms
helmeted, adjective
Word Origin
C15: from Old French, diminutive of helme, of Germanic origin
Word Origin and History for helmet
n.

mid-15c., perhaps a diminutive of Old English helm "protection, covering; crown, helmet" (see helm (n.2)). But Barnhart says from Middle French helmet (Modern French heaume), diminutive of helme "helmet," from the same Germanic source as helm (n.2). "Middle English Dictionary" points to both without making a choice. "Old English helm never became an active term in the standard vocabulary of English." [Barnhart]

Slang definitions & phrases for helmet

helmet

noun

The foreskin of the penis or the end of the penis (glans penis) •Fr its shape: clipped helmet


helmet in the Bible

(Heb. kob'a), a cap for the defence of the head (1 Sam. 17:5, 38). In the New Testament the Greek equivalent is used (Eph. 6:17; 1 Thess. 5:8). (See ARMS.)

Encyclopedia Article for helmet

defensive covering for the head, one of the most universal forms of armour. Helmets are usually thought of as military equipment, but they are also worn by firemen, miners, construction workers, riot and motorcycle police, gridiron-football and ice-hockey players, and bicyclists.

Learn more about helmet with a free trial on Britannica.com