Helix - Help

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Helix (?), n.; pl. L. Helices (#), E. Helixes (#). [L. helix, Gr. �, �, fr. � to turn round; cf. L. volvere, and E. volute, voluble.] 1. (Geom.) A nonplane curve whose tangents are all equally inclined to a given plane. The common helix is the curve formed by the thread of the ordinary screw. It is distinguished from the spiral, all the convolutions of which are in the plane.
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2. (Arch.) A caulicule or little volute under the abacus of the Corinthian capital.
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3. (Anat.) The incurved margin or rim of the external ear. See Illust. of .
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4. (Zoöl.) A genus of land snails, including a large number of species.
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☞ The genus originally included nearly all shells, but is now greatly restricted. See , .
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Hell (?), n. [AS. hell; akin to D. hel, OHG. hella, G. hölle, Icel. hal, Sw. helfvete, Dan. helvede, Goth. halja, and to AS. helan to conceal. ���. Cf. , v. t., , , , , .]
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1. The place of the dead, or of souls after death; the grave; -- called in Hebrew sheol, and by the Greeks hades.
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He descended into hell. Book of Common Prayer.
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Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell. Ps. xvi. 10.
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2. The place or state of punishment for the wicked after death; the abode of evil spirits. Hence, any mental torment; anguish. “Within him hell.” Milton.
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It is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or to hell. Shak.
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3. A place where outcast persons or things are gathered; as: (a) A dungeon or prison; also, in certain running games, a place to which those who are caught are carried for detention. (b) A gambling house. “A convenient little gambling hell for those who had grown reckless.” W. Black. (c) A place into which a tailor throws his shreds, or a printer his broken type. Hudibras.
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Coloq. Gates of hell . (Script.) See , n., 4.
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Hell, v. t. To overwhelm. [Obs.] Spenser.
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Hellanodic (?), n. [Gr. �; �, �, a Greek + � right, judgment.] (Gr. Antiq.) A judge or umpire in games or combats.
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Hellbender (?), n. (Zoöl.) A large North American aquatic salamander (Protonopsis horrida or Menopoma Alleghaniensis). It is very voracious and very tenacious of life. Also called alligator, and water dog.
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hell-bent adj. recklessly determined; as, hell-bent on winning.
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Hellborn (?), a. Born in or of hell. Shak.
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Hellbred (?), a. Produced in hell. Spenser.
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Hellbrewed (?), a. Prepared in hell. Milton.
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Hellbroth (?), n. A composition for infernal purposes; a magical preparation. Shak.
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Hell-cat (?), n. A witch; a hag. Middleton.
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Hell-diver (?), n. (Zoöl.) The dabchick.
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Helldoomed (?), a. Doomed to hell. Milton.
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Hellebore (?), n. [L. helleborus, elleborus, Gr. �, �; cf. F. hellébore, ellébore.]
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1. (Bot.) A genus of perennial herbs (Helleborus) of the Crowfoot family, mostly having powerfully cathartic and even poisonous qualities. Helleborus niger is the European black hellebore, or Christmas rose, blossoming in winter or earliest spring. Helleborus officinalis was the officinal hellebore of the ancients.
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2. (Bot.) Any plant of several species of the poisonous liliaceous genus Veratrum, especially Veratrum album and Veratrum viride, both called white hellebore.
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Helleborein (?), n. (Chem.) A poisonous glucoside accompanying helleborin in several species of hellebore, and extracted as a white crystalline substance with a bittersweet taste. It has a strong action on the heart, resembling digitalin.
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Helleborin (? or ?), n. (Chem.) A poisonous glucoside found in several species of hellebore, and extracted as a white crystalline substance with a sharp tingling taste. It possesses the essential virtues of the plant; -- called also elleborin.
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Helleborism (?), n. The practice or theory of using hellebore as a medicine.
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Hellene (?), n. [Gr. �.] A native of either ancient or modern Greece; a Greek. Brewer.
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Hellenian (?), a. Of or pertaining to the Hellenes, or Greeks.
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Hellenic (?; 277), a. [Gr. �, �, fr. � the Greeks.] Of or pertaining to the Hellenes, or inhabitants of Greece; Greek; Grecian. “The Hellenic forces.” Jowett (Thucyd. ).
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Hellenic, n. The dialect, formed with slight variations from the Attic, which prevailed among Greek writers after the time of Alexander.
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Hellenism (?), n. [Gr. �: cf. F. Hellénisme.] 1. A phrase or form of speech in accordance with genius and construction or idioms of the Greek language; a Grecism. Addison.
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2. The type of character of the ancient Greeks, who aimed at culture, grace, and amenity, as the chief elements in human well-being and perfection.
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Hellenist (?), n. [Gr. �: cf. F. Helléniste.] 1. One who affiliates with Greeks, or imitates Greek manners; esp., a person of Jewish extraction who used the Greek language as his mother tongue, as did the Jews of Asia Minor, Greece, Syria, and Egypt; distinguished from the Hebraists, or native Jews (Acts vi. 1).
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2. One skilled in the Greek language and literature; as, the critical Hellenist.

{ Hellenistic (?), Hellenistical (?), } a. [Cf. F. Hellénistique.] Pertaining to the Hellenists.
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Coloq. Hellenistic language , Coloq. Hellenistic dialect , or Coloq. Hellenistic idiom , the Greek spoken or used by the Jews who lived in countries where the Greek language prevailed; the Jewish-Greek dialect or idiom of the Septuagint.
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Hellenistically, adv. According to the Hellenistic manner or dialect. J. Gregory.
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Hellenize (?), v. i. [Gr. �.] To use the Greek language; to play the Greek; to Grecize.
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Hellenize (?), v. t. [Gr. �.] To give a Greek form or character to; to Grecize; as, to Hellenize a word.
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Hellenotype (?), n. See .
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Hellespont (?), n. [L. Hellespontus, Gr. �; � the mythological Helle, daughter of Athamas + � sea.] A narrow strait between Europe and Asia, now called the Daradanelles. It connects the Ægean Sea and the sea of Marmora.
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Hellespontine (?), a. Of or pertaining to the Hellespont. Mitford.

{ Hellgamite (?), Hellgramite (?), } n. (Zoöl.) The aquatic larva of a large American winged insect (Corydalus cornutus), much used a fish bait by anglers; the dobson. It belongs to the Neuroptera.
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Hellhag (?), n. A hag of or fit for hell. Bp. Richardson.
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Hell-haunted (�), a. Haunted by devils; hellish. Dryden.
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Hellhound (?), n. [AS. hellehund.] A dog of hell; an agent of hell.
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A hellhound, that doth hunt us all to death. Shak.
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Hellier (?), n. [See , v. t.] One who heles or covers; hence, a tiler, slater, or thatcher. [Obs.] [Written also heler.] Usher.
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Hellish (?), a. Of or pertaining to hell; like hell; infernal; malignant; wicked; detestable; diabolical. “Hellish hate.” Milton. -- Hellishly, adv. -- Hellishness, n.
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Hellkite (?), n. A kite of infernal breed. Shak.
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Hello (?), interj. & n. An exclamation used as a greeting, to call attention, as an exclamation of surprise, or to encourage one. This variant of and has become the dominant form. In the United States, it is the most common greeting used in answering a telephone.
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Hellward (?), adv. Toward hell. Pope.
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Helly, a. [AS. hellīc.] Hellish. Anderson (1573).
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Helm (?), n. See , straw.
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Helm (?), n. [OE. helme, AS. helma rudder; akin to D. & G. helm, Icel. hjālm, and perh. to E. helve.]
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1. (Naut.) The apparatus by which a ship is steered, comprising rudder, tiller, wheel, etc.; -- commonly used of the tiller or wheel alone.
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2. The place or office of direction or administration. “The helm of the Commonwealth.” Melmoth.
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3. One at the place of direction or control; a steersman; hence, a guide; a director.
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The helms o' the State, who care for you like fathers. Shak.
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4. [Cf. .] A helve. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
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Coloq. Helm amidships , when the tiller, rudder, and keel are in the same plane. -- Coloq. Helm aport , when the tiller is borne over to the port side of the ship. -- Coloq. Helm astarboard , when the tiller is borne to the starboard side. -- Coloq. Helm alee , Coloq. Helm aweather , when the tiller is borne over to the lee or to the weather side. -- Coloq. Helm hard alee , Coloq. Helm hard aport , Coloq. Helm hard astarboard , etc., when the tiller is borne over to the extreme limit. -- Coloq. Helm port , the round hole in a vessel's counter through which the rudderstock passes. -- Coloq. Helm down , helm alee. -- Coloq. Helm up , helm aweather. -- Coloq. To ease the helm , to let the tiller come more amidships, so as to lessen the strain on the rudder. -- Coloq. To feel the helm , to obey it. -- Coloq. To right the helm , to put it amidships. -- Coloq. To shift the helm , to bear the tiller over to the corresponding position on the opposite side of the vessel. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
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Helm, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Helmed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Helming.] To steer; to guide; to direct. [R.]
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The business he hath helmed. Shak.
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A wild wave . . . overbears the bark,
And him that helms it. Tennyson.
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Helm, n. [AS. See .] 1. A helmet. [Poetic]
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2. A heavy cloud lying on the brow of a mountain. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
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Helm, v. t. To cover or furnish with a helm or helmet. [Perh. used only as a past part. or part. adj.]
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She that helmed was in starke stours. Chaucer.
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Helmage (?), n. Guidance; direction. [R.]
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Helmed (?), a. Covered with a helmet.
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The helmed cherubim
Are seen in glittering ranks. Milton.
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Helmet (?), n. [OF. helmet, a dim of helme, F. heaume; of Teutonic origin; cf. G. helm, akin to AS. & OS. helm, D. helm, helmet, Icel. hjālmr, Sw. hjelm, Dan. hielm, Goth. hilms; and prob. from the root of AS. helan to hide, to hele; cf. also Lith. szalmas, Russ. shleme, Skr. çarman protection. √17. Cf. , , a helmet.] 1. (Armor) A defensive covering for the head. See , , , , and Illust. of .
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2. (Her.) The representation of a helmet over shields or coats of arms, denoting gradations of rank by modifications of form.
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3. A helmet-shaped hat, made of cork, felt, metal, or other suitable material, worn as part of the uniform of soldiers, firemen, etc., also worn in hot countries as a protection from the heat of the sun.
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4. That which resembles a helmet in form, position, etc.; as: (a) (Chem.) The upper part of a retort. Boyle. (b) (Bot.) The hood-formed upper sepal or petal of some flowers, as of the monkshood or the snapdragon. (c) (Zoöl.) A naked shield or protuberance on the top or fore part of the head of a bird.
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Coloq. Helmet beetle (Zoöl.), a leaf-eating beetle of the family Chrysomelidæ, having a short, broad, and flattened body. Many species are known. -- Coloq. Helmet shell (Zoöl.), one of many species of tropical marine univalve shells belonging to Cassis and allied genera. Many of them are large and handsome; several are used for cutting as cameos, and hence are called cameo shells. See . -- Coloq. Helmet shrike (Zoöl.), an African wood shrike of the genus Prionodon, having a large crest.
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Helmeted (?), a. Wearing a helmet; furnished with or having a helmet or helmet-shaped part; galeate.
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Helmet-shaped (�), a. Shaped like a helmet; galeate. See Illust. of .
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Helminth (?), n. [Gr. �, �, a worm.] (Zoöl.) An intestinal worm, or wormlike intestinal parasite; one of the Helminthes.
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Helminthagogue (?), n. [Gr. � a worm + � to drive.] (Med.) A vermifuge.
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Helminthes (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. �, �, a worm.] (Zoöl.) One of the grand divisions or branches of the animal kingdom. It is a large group including a vast number of species, most of which are parasitic. Called also Enthelminthes, Enthelmintha.
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☞ The following classes are included, with others of less importance: Cestoidea (tapeworms), Trematodea (flukes, etc.), Turbellaria (planarians), Acanthocephala (thornheads), Nematoidea (roundworms, trichina, gordius), Nemertina (nemerteans). See , and .
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Helminthiasis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. � to suffer from worms, fr. �, �, a worm.] (Med.) A disease in which worms are present in some part of the body.
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Helminthic (?), a. [Cf. F. helminthique.] Of or relating to worms, or Helminthes; expelling worms. -- n. A vermifuge; an anthelmintic.
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Helminthite (?), n. [Gr. �, �, a worm.] (Geol.) One of the sinuous tracks on the surfaces of many stones, and popularly considered as worm trails.
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Helminthoid (?), a. [Gr. �, �, a worm + -oid.] Wormlike; vermiform.

{ Helminthologic (?), Helminthological, } a. [Cf. F. helminthologique.] Of or pertaining to helminthology.
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Helminthologist (?), n. [Cf. F. helminthologiste.] One versed in helminthology.
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Helminthology (?), n. [Gr. �, �, a worm + -logy: cf. F. helminthologie.] The natural history, or study, of worms, esp. parasitic worms.
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Helmless (?), a. 1. Destitute of a helmet.
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2. Without a helm or rudder. Carlyle.
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Helmsman (?), n.; pl. Helmsmen (�). The man at the helm; a steersman.
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Helmwind (?), n. A wind attending or presaged by the cloud called helm. [Prov. Eng.]
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Helodermatidae prop. n. A natural family of lizards, including the only known venomous lizards.
Syn. -- family Helodermatidae.
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Helot (?; 277), n. [L. Helotes, Hilotae, pl., fr. Gr. E'elws and E'elwths a bondman or serf of the Spartans; so named from 'Elos, a town of Laconia, whose inhabitants were enslaved; or perh. akin to elei^n to take, conquer, used as 2d aor. of �.] A slave in ancient Sparta; a Spartan serf; hence, a slave or serf.
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Those unfortunates, the Helots of mankind, more or less numerous in every community. I. Taylor.
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Helotism (?), n. The condition of the Helots or slaves in Sparta; slavery.
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Helotium n. The type genus of the Helotiaceae.
Syn. -- genus Helotium.
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Helotry (?), n. The Helots, collectively; slaves; bondsmen. “The Helotry of Mammon.” Macaulay.
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Help (hĕlp), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Helped (hĕlpt) (Obs. imp. Holp (hōlp), p. p. Holpen (hōlp'n)); p. pr. & vb. n. Helping.] [AS. helpan; akin to OS. helpan, D. helpen, G. helfen, OHG. helfan, Icel. hjālpa, Sw. hjelpa, Dan. hielpe, Goth. hilpan; cf. Lith. szelpti, and Skr. klp to be fitting.] 1. To furnish with strength or means for the successful performance of any action or the attainment of any object; to aid; to assist; as, to help a man in his work; to help one to remember; -- the following infinitive is commonly used without to; as, “Help me scale yon balcony.” Longfellow.
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2. To furnish with the means of deliverance from trouble; as, to help one in distress; to help one out of prison. “God help, poor souls, how idly do they talk!” Shak.
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3. To furnish with relief, as in pain or disease; to be of avail against; -- sometimes with of before a word designating the pain or disease, and sometimes having such a word for the direct object. “To help him of his blindness.” Shak.
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The true calamus helps coughs. Gerarde.
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