helen

n. the daughter of Zeus in Greek stories, known as the most beautiful woman in the world, whose capture led to the Trojan War.

n. the mythological daughter of Zeus and Leda, whose abduction by Paris of Troy served as the casus belli for the Trojan War.

“In the old stories, Helen of Troy was known as the woman whose face launched a thousand ships.”

“The poet Marlowe famously described Helen of Troy as possessing the face that launched a thousand ships and burnt the topless towers of Ilium.”

Literary

n. a common traditional name for a woman.

n. a female given name of Ancient Greek origin, meaning 'torch' or 'shining light'.

“My aunt Helen has lived in this house for over forty years.”

“The registrar noted that the name Helen had seen a significant decline in popularity compared to its peak in the early twentieth century.”

n. a type of large, colorful butterfly found in parts of Asia.

n. any of various papilionid butterflies belonging to the genus Papilio, specifically those within the helenus species group.

“The collector was excited to find a Red Helen butterfly during his trip to the forest.”

“The Red Helen is a swallowtail butterfly frequently observed in the moist deciduous forests of South and Southeast Asia.”

Technical

n. a pair of curved, spine-like parts found on the bodies of certain ancient sea creatures called hyoliths.

n. either of a pair of calcified, curved, spine-like lateral appendages found in certain hyoliths, likely used for stability or locomotion.

“The scientist studied the helens on the fossil to understand how the creature moved on the sea floor.”

“Functional morphology suggests that the helens of hyolithids acted as outriggers to prevent the conical shell from rolling in the current.”

Technical