Etymology

Uncertain. The original nominative was probably ἕλμις ‎(hélmis), with ἕλμινς being a back-formation from the oblique forms. There appear to be two related Indo-European roots: *kʷr̥mis, with descendants such as Sanskrit कृमि ‎(kṛmi) and Slavic *čьrvь; and *wr̥mis, with descendants such as Latin vermis and Old English wyrm (English worm). However, since ἕλμινς has a "λ" instead of a "ρ", and also because of "νθ," Beekes argues for a Pre-Greek origin.

Pronunciation

• (5th BC Attic) IPA^(key): /hélmiːs/

• (1st BC Egyptian) IPA^(key): /hɛ́lmins/