Helm
See also: helm, hełm, hel'm, and helm'
English
Etymology 1
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Proper noun
Helm
- The only named wind in the British Isles. It blows westward from the Pennine fells over Cumbria and is often accompanied by a line of clouds on top of the hills called the Helm Bar.
- Synonym: Helm Wind
Etymology 2
Two main origins:
- English topographic surname for someone who lived by or worked at a temporary shelter for animals, from Middle English helm (“helmet; protection”).
- Borrowed from German Helm (“helmet”), metonymic occupational surname for a maker of helmets.
Proper noun
Helm (countable and uncountable, plural Helms)
- (countable) A surname.
- (uncountable) A placename, from the surname:
- An unincorporatedcommunity in Fresno County, California, United States.
- An unincorporatedcommunity in Russell County, Kentucky, United States.
- An unincorporatedcommunity in Pulaski County, Missouri, United States.
Statistics
- According to the 2010 United States Census, Helm is the 3087th most common surname in the United States, belonging to 11649 individuals. Helm is most common among White (86.39%) individuals.
Further reading
- Hanks, Patrick, editor (2003), “Helm”, in Dictionary of American Family Names, volume 2, New York City: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 160.
German
Etymology
From Middle High German helm, from Old High German helm, from Proto-West Germanic *helm, from Proto-Germanic *helmaz. Compare Low German Helm, Dutch helm, English helm, Danish hjelm.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /hɛlm/
Audio (file)
Noun
Helm m (strong, genitive Helmes or Helms, plural Helme)
- helmet
- helm roof
- (heraldry) helmet, as shown above a coat of arms
Declension
Declension of Helm [masculine, strong]
| singular | plural | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| indef. | def. | noun | def. | noun | |
| nominative | ein | der | Helm | die | Helme |
| genitive | eines | des | Helmes, Helms | der | Helme |
| dative | einem | dem | Helm, Helme1 | den | Helmen |
| accusative | einen | den | Helm | die | Helme |
1Now uncommon, see notes.
Hyponyms
- Ritterhelm
- Schutzhelm
- Sturzhelm
- Stahlhelm
Derived terms
- behelmt
Further reading
- “Helm” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
Luxembourgish
Etymology
Backformed (perhaps under German influence) from the plural of older Hellem, from Middle High German helm, from Old High German helm, from Proto-West Germanic *helm, from Proto-Germanic *helmaz.
Cognate with German Helm, Dutch helm, English helm, Icelandic hjálmur.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /hælm/
Noun
Helm m (plural Helmen or Helmer)
- helmet