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Glite Dictionary
shuttle helicopter

shuttle helicopter

4.4
A helicopter that often moves people or goods back and forth between two places
  • noun
  • /ˈʃʌtəl ˈhɛlɪkɒptər/
translation icon : helicóptero lanzadera
  • The company operates a shuttle helicopter service between the two cities for executives.

Examples

  • A shuttle helicopter was used to ferry guests from the airport to the island resort.

  • The oil rig relies on a shuttle helicopter for daily transportation of workers and supplies.

  • The shuttle helicopter arrived on time.

  • We took a shuttle helicopter to the island.

  • The company operates a shuttle helicopter service between the two cities for executives.

  • A shuttle helicopter was used to ferry guests from the airport to the island resort.

  • The oil rig relies on a shuttle helicopter for daily transportation of workers and supplies.

Synonyms

shuttle
vsshuttle helicopter
732 3.0

A service that runs often between two places, like a bus

is limited to a flying vehicle with rotating blades on regular two-point routes
rotorcraft
vsshuttle helicopter
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A flying machine lifted and moved by spinning blades like a helicopter

is used specifically for regular back-and-forth transport of people or goods

Surface Forms

shuttle helicopter singular
shuttle helicopters plural

Morphology

shuttle + helicopter

The meaning is directly compositional: 'shuttle' (frequent back-and-forth transport) combined with 'helicopter' (rotary-wing aircraft) clearly yields a helicopter used as a shuttle service. This noun-noun compounding follows common English and cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Shuttle helicopter comes from the idea of a shuttle, a vehicle that goes back and forth, and a helicopter that flies people or goods between two places. So, it means 'a helicopter that makes regular back-and-forth trips'.