Definition
Helicopter (noun):
A type of aircraft that achieves both lift and propulsion using one or more horizontal rotors, allowing it to take off and land vertically, hover, and fly in any direction.
Etymology
From French hélicoptère, coined in the mid-19th century by French inventor Gustave de Ponton d’Amécourt.
It comes from the Greek roots:
- helix (ἕλιξ) — meaning spiral or twisted
- pteron (πτερόν) — meaning wing
The combination literally means spiral wing.
Origin
- Language of origin: Ancient Greek (via French)
- Cultural origin: Modern usage developed in the 20th century with the advancement of aviation technology, though the term was coined earlier.
