# helicopter

Pronunciation: US say "HEL-i-kop-tur" /ˈhɛlɪˌkɑptɜɹ/; say "HEL-i-kop-tuh" UK /ˈhɛl.iˌkɒp.tə(ɹ)/, AUS /ˈheliˌkɔptə(ɹ)/

## Noun

1. An aircraft kept aloft by one or more sets of long rotating blades, able to hover, move in any direction including backward, and land vertically, usually with a smaller tail rotor for stability.
   - Simple: An aircraft that flies using large spinning blades on top, letting it hover, move any direction, or land.
   - _The rescue helicopter winched the stranded climbers to safety._
   - _Several helicopters circled the wildfire, dropping water on the flames._
6. The winged fruit produced by certain trees, such as ash, elm, and maple, that spins as it drops from the branch.
   - Simple: The winged seed of trees like the maple, which spins as it falls to the ground.
   - _Every fall the ash drops thousands of helicopters that spin across the yard._
   - _A single helicopter spiraled down from the maple branch onto the path._
7. A breakdancing move in which the dancer spins on the floor while extending the legs to resemble rotating blades.
   - Simple: A breakdance move where the dancer spins on the floor with the legs stretched out like turning blades.
   - _The battle judges scored his helicopter higher than any other power move._
   - _She linked a freeze into a helicopter to close out the routine._
8. A powered troweling machine with spinning blades, used to spread and smooth poured concrete.
   - Simple: A power machine with spinning blades used to smooth and spread wet concrete.
   - _The finishers guided the helicopter across the slab until the surface gleamed._
   - _Two helicopters worked opposite ends of the freshly poured floor._
9. A dragonfly, so called because its darting, hovering flight and long wings recall a helicopter. *(slang)*
   - Simple: A dragonfly, a long-bodied flying insect with two pairs of thin, clear wings.
   - _A green helicopter hovered above the lily pads before zipping away._
   - _The kids chased helicopters along the riverbank with their nets._
10. A whirling trick performed with devil sticks, in which the handsticks send the center stick spinning continuously.
   - Simple: A spinning trick done with devil sticks, where the center stick whirls round and round.
   - _The juggler closed his act with a fast helicopter that drew loud applause._
   - _A clean helicopter keeps the center stick level as it spins._

## Verb

2. To transport a person or thing from one location to another by helicopter.
   - Simple: To carry people or things from one place to another using a helicopter.
   - _The crew helicoptered fresh water and medicine to the stranded town._
   - _Authorities decided to helicopter the patient to a specialized burn unit._
3. To make a journey somewhere by helicopter.
   - Simple: To travel from place to place by riding in a helicopter.
   - _The executives helicoptered between the two offices to save time._
   - _Guests can helicopter directly to the island resort._
4. To be excessively involved in one's children's lives, constantly monitoring and controlling them out of overprotectiveness.
   - Simple: To watch over your children too closely and control too much of what they do.
   - _Critics say schools encourage parents to helicopter rather than let children fail and grow._
   - _He helicoptered his daughter through college, calling her professors over every grade._
5. To spin or whirl rapidly, in the manner of a helicopter's rotating blades.
   - Simple: To spin around fast, the way a helicopter's blades turn.
   - _The maple seeds helicopter down, spinning as they fall toward the lawn._
   - _The gymnast's legs helicoptered around the high bar._

## Origin

Borrowed from French hélicoptère, which comes from Ancient Greek hélix ("spiral") plus pterón ("wing"). The dragonfly sense reflects the insect's ability to hover and fly in any direction, like the flying machine.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/helicopter (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).