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n. 1. a. A protective head covering made of hard material, such as leather, metal, or plastic: A firefighter's uniform includes a helmet. b. The headgear with a glass mask worn by deep-sea divers. c. A pith helmet; a topi. d. A head covering, such as a balaclava, that is shaped like a helmet. 2. A piece of armor, usually made of metal, designed to protect the head. 3. Botany The hood-shaped sepal or corolla of some flowers. tr. & intr.v. hel·met·ed, hel·met·ing, hel·mets To provide with or put on a helmet. [Middle English, from Old French, diminutive of helme, of Germanic origin; see kel-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] helmet·ed adj. |
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