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A wind attending or presaged by the cloud called helm. [Prov. Eng.]

A slave in ancient Sparta; a Spartan serf; hence, a slave or serf. Those unfortunates, the Helots of mankind, more or less numerous in every community. I. Taylor.

The condition of the Helots or slaves in Sparta; slavery.

The Helots, collectively; slaves; bondsmen. "The Helotry of Mammon." Macaulay.

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.

One who, or that which, helps, aids, assists, or relieves; as, a lay helper in a parish. Thou art the helper of the fatherless. Ps. x. 14. Compassion . . . oftentimes a helper of evils. Dr. H. More.

Furnishing help; giving aid; assistant; useful; salutary. Heavens make our presence and our practices Pleasant and helpful to him! Shak. -- Help"ful*ly, adv. -- Help"ful*ness, n. Milton.

Destitute of help or strength; unable to help or defend one's self; needing help; feeble; weak; as, a helpless infant. How shall I then your helpless fame defend Pope.

A helper; a companion; specifically, a wife. In Minorca the ass and the hog are common helpmates, and are yoked together in order to turn up the land. Pennant. A waiting woman was generally considered as the most suitable helpmate for a parson. Macaulay.

A wife; a helpmate. The Lord God created Adam, . . . and afterwards, on his finding the want of a helpmeet, caused him to sleep, and took one of his ribs and thence made woman. J. H. Newman.

In hurry and confusion; without definite purpose; irregularly. [Colloq.] Helter-skelter have I rode to thee. Shak. A wistaria vine running helter-skelter across the roof. J. C. Harris.

The handle of an ax, hatchet, or adze.

Same as Helvetic. -- n.

Of or pertaining to the Helvetii, the ancient inhabitant of the Alps, now Switzerland, or to the modern states and inhabitant of the Alpine regions; as, the Helvetic confederacy; Helvetic states.

A mineral of a yellowish color, consisting chiefly of silica, glucina, manganese, and iron, with a little sulphur.

Them [Obs.] Chaucer.

Same as Hæma-.

A species of agate, sprinkled with spots of red jasper.

Same as Hæmachrome.

A composition made from blood, mixed with mineral or vegetable substances, used for making buttons, door knobs, etc.