myEtymology.com: English etymology of helicopter

Etymology of the English word helicopter

the English word helicopter

derived from the French word hélicoptère

derived from the Greek word helix, ἕλιξ, ἧλιξ (coil)

derived from the Greek word elissomai

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *wel-

using the French prefix hélico-

using the French suffix -ptère

derived from the Greek word pteron, πτερόν

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *pet-

derived from the French word helicoptere

using the French prefix helico-

The earliest known usage of helicopter in English dates from the 19th century.

Word found in Modern English