What is the meaning of the word helicopter?

Answer 1

The word helicopter is derived from the Greek words helix (spiral) and pteron (wing).A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors. Helicopters are classified as rotary-wing aircraft to distinguish them from conventional fixed-wing aircraft. The first single-rotor, fully-controllable helicopter to enter large full-scale production was made by Igor Sikorsky in 1942. I'm so sorry, I did get this from Wikipedia (that old chestnut!!)

Answer 2

Definition Helicopter

Answer 3

A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotars.
The word originates from two separate Greek words:
Helix, meaning spiral
and
Pteron, meaning wing.
The first helicopter to enter large full-scale production was made by Igor Sikorsky in 1942.
Helicopter is a good word, but "Dragonfly Machine" is better!

Answer 4

hel·i·cop·ter (hĕl'ĭ-kŏp'tər)
n.
An aircraft that derives its lift from blades that rotate about an approximately vertical central axis.

WORD HISTORY The two Greek words that are the origin of helicopter may be particularly hard for English speakers to spot. Helicopter was borrowed from the French word hélicoptère, a word constructed from Greek heliko– and pteron, “wing.” Heliko–, the combining form of helix, “spiral,” has given us helico–, which can be joined with other words and word forms to create new words. The consonant cluster pt in pteron begins many Greek words but relatively few English words. English speakers unfamiliar with Greek are thus not likely to recognize the word's elements as helico–pter; many analyze the word into the elements heli–copter, as is shown by the clipped form copter.

Answer 5

an object that can fly through the use of spinning propellors, creating a downdraft.....? i dont know i made it up but i know that a french person called a wee toy made of two wood screw(twisty) type pins with propellor like heads on and called it the helicoptere, as you can guess it was the same as getting two of those tree seeds and sticking them together ....voila helicoptor motion...
also that the word helicopter is derived from the greek words helix(spiral) and pteron (wing)

Answer 6

just some interesting facts...A helicopter does NOT FLY... it contstantly defies gravity... most have two rotors... on a Chinook. there are two horizontal blades on top.. the direction if "flight" is controlled by changing the pitch of the rotors(what the blades are connected to).... on a typical helicopter... with a main horizontal rotor on top and vertical blades in the rear, the top blades control lift and aid direction, and the rear blades provide stability and also aid turns... helicopters are like a phenomenon constantly defying gravity to "fly"... with many controls aiding in controling the "flight".

Answer 7

The phrase 'helicopter' (Greek word helio, meaning 'spiral' and pteron meaning 'wing'), was first coined in the 1860s, by the grandly named Viscount Gustave de Ponton d'Amécourt.
So to answer your question it means 'SpiralWing'

Answer 8

the official meaning has been answered, but to me it means f**king brilliant!!! I love flying them, or as one of you answers put it, defining gravity in them. The should not fly, it does mean that rotor wing pilots are some of the best in the world though.

Answer 9

It just means 'Rotary Wing'

Answer 10

i think it means spiral wing