English → Latin
“helm” in Latin
gubernāculumthe steering-oar, helm, rudder; managementclāvusa nail (metal spike); rudder; helm (of a boat)cīvitāscitizenship and its rights; often referring to Roman citizenship.; the state, body politic, citizens of a territory (colimperiumThe empire, state, imperial government, realm, dominion.; The right or power to command or be in control; dominion.; Abs
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
helm
Helmet, Vid:
Rudder, gubernaculum: clavus (PROP.; the angular handle of the rudder; the tiller; by metonymy, for “rudder”). To sit, stand, be, etc., at the helm, ad gubernaculum sedere: gubernaculum regere: clavum tenere (PROP. and figuratively).
FIG., The helm of the state, etc., gubernacula reipublicae, civitatis, or imperii; clavus imperii: to be at the helm of the slate, ad gubernacula reipublicae sedere; gubernaculis reipublicae assidere; gubernacula reipublicae tractare; clavum imperii tenere. (The words are found in this connection and order.) clavum imperii tenere et gubernacula reipublicae tractare; sedere in puppi et clavum tenere; summas imperii tenere; reipublicae praeesse; rempublicam regere ac gubernare: to take the helm, ad gubernacula accedere: to retire from it, a gubernaculis recedere: to be driven from the helm, repelli a gubernaculis (Cic.).
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for helm?
- The usual Latin words for “helm” are gubernāculum, clāvus, cīvitās; also imperium. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.