The Collaborative International Dictionary
Helm \Helm\, n. [OE. helme, AS. helma rudder; akin to D. & G. helm, Icel. hj[=a]lm, and perh. to E. helve.]
(Naut.) The apparatus by which a ship is steered, comprising rudder, tiller, wheel, etc.; -- commonly used of the tiller or wheel alone.
The place or office of direction or administration. ``The helm of the Commonwealth.''
--Melmoth.-
One at the place of direction or control; a steersman; hence, a guide; a director.
The helms o' the State, who care for you like fathers.
--Shak. -
[Cf. Helve.] A helve. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Helm amidships, when the tiller, rudder, and keel are in the same plane.
Helm aport, when the tiller is borne over to the port side of the ship.
Helm astarboard, when the tiller is borne to the starboard side.
Helm alee, Helm aweather, when the tiller is borne over to the lee or to the weather side.
Helm hard alee, Helm hard aport, Helm hard astarboard, etc., when the tiller is borne over to the extreme limit.
Helm port, the round hole in a vessel's counter through which the rudderstock passes.
Helm down, helm alee.
Helm up, helm aweather.
To ease the helm, to let the tiller come more amidships, so as to lessen the strain on the rudder.
To feel the helm, to obey it.
To right the helm, to put it amidships.
To shift the helm, to bear the tiller over to the corresponding position on the opposite side of the vessel.
--Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Usage examples of "helm down".
And obeying his own order, he dashed the helm down before the helmsman could handle the spokes.
Saka Gerden charged like the fierce Bull of his Order and Count Brass sidestepped him, bringing his sword around in a swing to split Saka Gerden's helm down the middle and split Saka Gerden's skull, also.
By brute force a dozen men hauled on the tiny sail and as soon as it was backed Ramage shouted at Jackson to put the helm down.
Grumbling beneath his breath Jack Donelly pulled the foresheet up to weather, slacked the main, and put the helm down.
Emien hauled in the sheets, shoved the helm down, and let the craft jibe.
Then, flinging the helm down on a table, where it struck and shattered a dusty, porcelain vase.
With that, she tossed the helm down onto the ground at her dragon's feet, then, at a word, Skie lifted his wings and rose into the air.