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6 dictionary results for: Assist

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

as·sist

[uh-sist] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object)

1.	to give support or aid to; help: Please assist him in moving the furniture.

2.	to be associated with as an assistant or helper.

–verb (used without object)

3.	to give aid or help.

4.	to be present, as at a meeting or ceremony.

–noun

Sports.

a.	Baseball. a play that helps to put out a batter or base runner.

b.	Basketball, Ice Hockey. a play that helps a teammate in gaining a goal.

c.	the official credit scored for such plays.

6.	a helpful act: She finished her homework without an assist from her father.

7.	Machinery. an electrical, hydraulic, or mechanical means of increasing power, efficiency, or ease of use: a luxury automobile equipped with assists for brakes, steering, windows, and seat adjustment.

[Origin: 1505–15; < L assistere to stand by, help, equiv. to as- as- + sistere to (cause to) stand (si- reduplicative prefix + -ste- (var. of sta- stand) + -re inf. suffix)

]

—Related forms

as·sist·er; Chiefly Law, as·sis·tor, noun

as·sist·ive, adjective

—Synonyms 1. sustain, abet, befriend; back, promote. See help.

—Antonyms 1. hinder, frustrate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

as·sist   (ə-sĭst') Pronunciation Key
v.   as·sist·ed, as·sist·ing, as·sists

v.   tr.
To give help or support to, especially as a subordinate or supplement; aid: The clerk assisted the judge by looking up related precedents. Her breathing was assisted by a respirator.

v.   intr.

To give aid or support. See Synonyms at help.
To be present, as at a conference.

An act of giving aid; help.
Sports
1. A fielding and throwing of a baseball in such a way that enables a teammate to put out a runner.
2. A pass, as in basketball or ice hockey, that enables the receiver to score a goal.
3. Official credit that is given for such a pass.
A mechanical device providing aid.

[Middle English assisten, from Old French assister, from Latin assistere : ad-, ad- + sistere, to stand; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]

as·sist'er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
assist

1426, from M.Fr. assister "to stand by, help, assist," from L. assistere "assist, stand by," from ad- "to" + sistere "take a stand, cause to stand," from PIE *siste-, reduplicated form of base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Sporting sense (n.) is attested 1877 in baseball, 1925 in ice hockey. Assistant (n.) is from 1541.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

assist
noun
1.	the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose; "he gave me an assist with the housework"; "could not walk without assistance"; "rescue party went to their aid"; "offered his help in unloading" [syn: aid]
2.	(sports) the act of enabling another player to make a good play
verb
1.	give help or assistance; be of service; "Everyone helped out during the earthquake"; "Can you help me carry this table?"; "She never helps around the house" [syn: help]
2.	act as an assistant in a subordinate or supportive function
3.	work for or be a servant to; "May I serve you?"; "She attends the old lady in the wheelchair"; "Can you wait on our table, please?"; "Is a salesperson assisting you?"; "The minister served the King for many years" [syn: serve]

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Assist

As*sist"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Assisting.] [L. assistere; ad + sistere to cause to stand, to stand, from stare to stand: cf. F. assister. See Stand.] To give support to in some undertaking or effort, or in time of distress; to help; to aid; to succor.

Assist me, knight. I am undone! --Shak.

Syn: To help; aid; second; back; support; relieve; succor; befriend; sustain; favor. See Help.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Assist

As*sist"\, v. i. 1. To lend aid; to help.

With God not parted from him, as was feared, But favoring and assisting to the end. --Milton.

2. To be present as a spectator; as, to assist at a public meeting. [A Gallicism] --Gibbon. Prescott.

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