helicon

¹ American  

[hel-i-kon, -kuhn] / ˈhɛl ɪˌkɒn, -kən /

noun

1. a coiled tuba carried over the shoulder and used especially in military bands.

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Helicon ² American  

[hel-i-kon, -kuhn] / ˈhɛl ɪˌkɒn, -kən /

noun

1. a mountain in S central Greece. 5,738 feet (1,749 meters): regarded by ancient Greeks as the abode of Apollo and the Muses.

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Helicon ¹ British  

/ ˈhɛlɪkən /

noun

1. Modern Greek name: Elikón.  a mountain in Greece, in Boeotia: location of the springs of Hippocrene and Aganippe, believed by the Ancient Greeks to be the source of poetic inspiration and the home of the Muses. Height: 1749 m (5738 ft)

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helicon ² British  

/ ˈhɛlɪkən /

noun

1. a bass tuba made to coil over the shoulder of a band musician

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Etymology

Origin of helicon

1520–30; probably special use of Helicon, by association with helico-

Example Sentences

The pitch of the helicon is an octave below that of the euphonium.

From Project Gutenberg

The helicons are bold insects, and did not seem to mind our close inspecting eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

For military purposes, this and the contrabass—the helicon—are circular.

From Project Gutenberg

As we bumped by the huts the helicons and swallow tails rose precipitously from the mangled cans and cast rubbish.

From Project Gutenberg