to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; render assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist: He planned to help me with my work. Let me help you with those packages.
2.
to save; rescue; succor: Help me, I'm falling!
3.
to make easier or less difficult; contribute to; facilitate: The exercise of restraint is certain to help the achievement of peace.
4.
to be useful or profitable to: Her quick mind helped her career.
5.
to refrain from; avoid (usually prec. by can or cannot): He can't help doing it.
6.
to relieve or break the uniformity of: Small patches of bright color can help an otherwise dull interior.
7.
to relieve (someone) in need, sickness, pain, or distress.
8.
to remedy, stop, or prevent: Nothing will help my headache.
9.
to serve food to at table (usually fol. by to): Help her to salad.
10.
to serve or wait on (a customer), as in a store.
–verb (used without object)
11.
to give aid; be of service or advantage: Every little bit helps.
–noun
12.
the act of helping; aid or assistance; relief or succor.
13.
a person or thing that helps: She certainly is a help in an emergency.
14.
a hired helper; employee.
15.
a body of such helpers.
16.
a domestic servant or a farm laborer.
17.
means of remedying, stopping, or preventing: The thing is done, and there is no help for it now.
(used as an exclamation to call for assistance or to attract attention.)
—Verb phrase
20.
help out, to assist in an effort; be of aid to: Her relatives helped out when she became ill.
—Idioms
21.
cannot or can't help but, to be unable to refrain from or avoid; be obliged to: Still, you can't help but admire her.
22.
help oneself to,
a.
to serve oneself; take a portion of: Help yourself to the cake.
b.
to take or use without asking permission; appropriate: They helped themselves to the farmer's apples. Help yourself to any of the books we're giving away.
23.
so help me, (used as a mild form of the oath “so help me God”) I am speaking the truth; on my honor: That's exactly what happened, so help me.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME helpen, OE helpan; c. G helfen]
—Related forms
help·a·ble, adjective
—Synonyms 1. encourage, befriend; support, second, uphold, back, abet. Help,aid,assist,succor agree in the idea of furnishing another with something needed, esp. when the need comes at a particular time. Help implies furnishing anything that furthers one's efforts or relieves one's wants or necessities. Aid and assist, somewhat more formal, imply esp. a furthering or seconding of another's efforts. Aid implies a more active helping; assist implies less need and less help. To succor, still more formal and literary, is to give timely help and relief in difficulty or distress: Succor him in his hour of need. 3. further, promote, foster. 6. ameliorate. 7. alleviate, cure, heal. 12. support, backing.
—Usage note 21.Help but, in sentences like She's so clever you can't help but admire her, has been condemned by some as the ungrammatical version of cannot help admiring her, but the idiom is common in all kinds of speech and writing and can only be characterized as standard.
To give assistance to; aid: I helped her find the book. He helped me into my coat.
To contribute to the furtherance of; promote.
To give relief to: help the needy.
To ease; relieve: medication to help your cold.
To change for the better; improve: A fresh coat of paint will help a scarred old table.
To refrain from; avoid or resist. Used with can or cannot:couldn't help laughing.
To wait on, as in a store or restaurant.
v.
intr.
To be of service; give assistance.
n.
The act or an instance of helping.
Aid or assistance.
Relief; remedy.
One that helps: You've been a great help. A food processor is a help to the serious cook.
A person employed to help, especially a farm worker or domestic servant.
Such employees considered as a group. Often used with the.
[Middle English helpen, from Old English helpan.]
Synonyms: These verbs mean to contribute to the fulfillment of a need, the furtherance of an effort, or the achievement of a purpose or end. Help and aid, the most general, are frequently interchangeable: a medication that helps (or aids) the digestion. Help, however, sometimes conveys a stronger suggestion of effectual action: I'll help you move the piano. Assist usually implies making a secondary contribution or acting as a subordinate: Apprentices assisted the chef in preparing the banquet. Succor refers to going to the relief of one in want, difficulty, or distress: "Mr. Harding thought . . . of the worn-out, aged men he had succored" (Anthony Trollope). See Also Synonyms at improve.
Usage Note: Many people commonly use help in the sense conveyed in the sentence Don't change it any more than you can help (that is, "any more than you have to"). Some grammarians condemn this usage on the grounds that help in this sense means "avoid" and therefore logically requires a negative. But the expression is a well-established idiom. See Usage Note at cannot.
O.E. helpan (class III strong verb; past tense healp, pp. holpen), from P.Gmc. *khelpanan (cf. O.N. hjalpa, O.Fris. helpa, Du. helpen, Ger. helfen), from PIE base *kelb-/*kelp- "to help" (cf. Lith. selpiu "to support, help"). Sense of "serve someone with foot at table" (1688) is translated from Fr. servir "to help, stead, avail," and led to helping "portion of food" (1824). Use of help as euphemism for "servant" is Amer.Eng., 1645, tied up in notions of class and race.
"A domestic servant of American birth, and without negro blood in his or her veins ... is not a servant, but a 'help.' 'Help wanted,' is the common heading of advertisements in the North, when servants are required." [Chas. Mackay, "Life and Liberty in America," 1859].
The M.E. pp. holpen survives in biblical and U.S. dial. use.
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.
a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose; "my invaluable assistant"; "they hired additional help to finish the work" [syn: assistant]
a means of serving; "of no avail"; "there's no help for it" [syn: avail]
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"
2.
improve the condition of; "These pills will help the patient"
3.
be of use; "This will help to prevent accidents"
4.
abstain from doing; always used with a negative; "I can't help myself--I have to smoke"; "She could not help watching the sad spectacle" [syn: help oneself]
5.
help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself" [syn: serve]
6.
contribute to the furtherance of; "This money will help the development of literacy in developing countries"
7.
take or use; "She helped herself to some of the office supplies" [syn: avail]
8.
improve; change for the better; "New slipcovers will help the old living room furniture"
to do something with or for someone that he cannot do alone, or that he will find useful Example: Will you help me with this translation?; Will you please help me (to) translate this poem?; Can I help?; He fell down and I helped him up.
Arabic:
يُساعِد
Chinese (Simplified):
帮助
Chinese (Traditional):
幫助
Czech:
pomoci
Danish:
hjælpe
Dutch:
helpen, bijstaan, hulp verlenen
Estonian:
aitama
Finnish:
auttaa
French:
aider
German:
helfen
Greek:
βοηθώ
Hungarian:
segít
Icelandic:
hjálpa
Indonesian:
membantu
Italian:
aiutare
Japanese:
助ける
Korean:
돕다; 도와주다
Lithuanian:
padėti
Norwegian:
hjelpe, bistå, assistere
Polish:
pomagać
Portuguese (Brazil):
ajudar
Portuguese (Portugal):
ajudar
Romanian:
a ajuta
Russian:
помогать
Slovak:
pomôcť, pomáhať
Slovenian:
pomagati
Spanish:
ayudar
Swedish:
hjälpa
Turkish:
yardım etmek
help2[help]verb
to play a part in something; to improve or advance Example: Bright posters will help to attract the public to the exhibition; Good exam results will help his chances of a job.
Arabic:
يَلعَب دورا ، يُحَسِّن
Chinese (Simplified):
促进
Chinese (Traditional):
促進
Czech:
pomoci; posílit
Danish:
hjælpe; gavne
Dutch:
bijdragen aan, bijdragen tot
Estonian:
aitama
Finnish:
olla avuksi
French:
aider
German:
beitragen zu
Greek:
διευκολύνω
Hungarian:
elősegít
Icelandic:
eiga þátt í
Indonesian:
membantu
Italian:
aiutare
Japanese:
役立つ
Korean:
촉진［진흥］하다
Latvian:
palīdzēt
Lithuanian:
padėti
Norwegian:
være med på å skape, fremme
Polish:
pomóc
Portuguese (Brazil):
ajudar
Portuguese (Portugal):
ajudar
Romanian:
a servi la; a mări, a creşte
Russian:
способствовать
Slovak:
pomôcť
Slovenian:
pripomoči
Spanish:
ayudar, contribuir
Swedish:
bidra till, förbättra
Turkish:
yardım etmek, yardımcı olmak
help3[help]verb
to make less bad Example: An aspirin will help your headache.
Arabic:
يُقَلِّل ، يُخَفِّفُ
Chinese (Simplified):
补救
Chinese (Traditional):
補救
Czech:
ulevit
Danish:
hjælpe
Dutch:
helpen verminderen
Estonian:
leevendama
Finnish:
auttaa
French:
soulager
German:
lindern
Greek:
καλυτερεύω
Hungarian:
orvosol
Icelandic:
lækna, slá á
Indonesian:
meredakan
Italian:
alleviare
Japanese:
～に効く
Korean:
누그러뜨리다
Latvian:
palīdzēt
Lithuanian:
padėti, palengvinti
Norwegian:
hjelpe på
Polish:
pomóc
Portuguese (Brazil):
aliviar
Portuguese (Portugal):
ajudar
Romanian:
a ameliora
Russian:
облегчать
Slovak:
pomôcť (proti, pri)
Slovenian:
ublažiti
Spanish:
ayudar (a calmar), aliviar
Swedish:
hjälpa mot
Turkish:
iyi gelmek
help4[help]verb
to serve (a person) in a shop Example: Can I help you, sir?
Arabic:
يَخْدُم في دُكان
Chinese (Simplified):
（在商店）服务
Chinese (Traditional):
(在商店)服務
Czech:
posloužit
Danish:
hjælpe
Dutch:
van dienst zijn
Estonian:
teenindama
Finnish:
palvella
French:
aider
German:
etwas tun
Greek:
εξυπηρετώ
Hungarian:
kiszolgál
Icelandic:
aðstoða
Indonesian:
melayani
Italian:
aiutare
Japanese:
用を承る
Korean:
(손님에게) 응대하다
Latvian:
palīdzēt
Lithuanian:
padėti
Norwegian:
assistere, ekspedere
Polish:
obsługiwać
Portuguese (Brazil):
servir
Portuguese (Portugal):
ser útil
Romanian:
a ajuta
Russian:
быть полезным
Slovak:
poslúžiť
Slovenian:
pomagati
Spanish:
ayudar, servir
Swedish:
hjälpa
Turkish:
yardımcı olmak
help5[help]verb
(withcan(not), ~could (not)) to be able not to do something or to prevent something Example: He looked so funny that I couldn't help laughing; Can I help it if it rains?
Arabic:
يتمالَك، يَمْنَعُ نفسَه
Chinese (Simplified):
避免
Chinese (Traditional):
避免
Czech:
ubránit se; zabránit
Danish:
ikke kunne lade være med; ikke kunne gøre for
Dutch:
verhinderen, voorkómen
Estonian:
mitte midagi muud üle jääma kui
Finnish:
voida muuta kuin
French:
pouvoir, ne pas pouvoir s'empêcher de
German:
verhindern
Greek:
δεν μπορώ να εμποδίσω
Hungarian:
nem tudja megállni, hogy ne tegyen vmit
Icelandic:
komast ekki hjá, geta ekki annað
Indonesian:
mau tidak mau
Italian:
evitare; impedire
Japanese:
避ける
Korean:
…을 피하다, 막다
Latvian:
Ko es varu darīt, ja līst?
Lithuanian:
negalėti susilaikyti ne-, kuo… kaltas, kad…
Norwegian:
(ikke) kunne la være å, kunne noe for (at)
Polish:
móc sie powstrzymać, móc coś poradzić
Portuguese (Brazil):
deixar de, evitar
Portuguese (Portugal):
(não poder) deixar de
Romanian:
a (se) putea opri, a nu (se) putea opri
Russian:
удержаться; ничего не поделаешь
Slovak:
ubrániť sa; zabrániť
Slovenian:
(ne moči si) pomagati
Spanish:
no poder evitar
Swedish:
låta bli, rå för, hjälpa
Turkish:
elinde olmak, kendini tutmak
help1[help]noun
the act of helping, or the result of this Example: Can you give me some help?; Your digging the garden was a big help; Can I be of help to you?
Arabic:
مُساعَدَه
Chinese (Simplified):
帮助
Chinese (Traditional):
幫助
Czech:
pomoc
Danish:
hjælp
Dutch:
hulp
Estonian:
abi
Finnish:
apu
French:
aide
German:
die Hilfe
Greek:
βοήθεια
Hungarian:
segítség
Icelandic:
aðstoð, hjálp
Indonesian:
bantuan
Italian:
aiuto
Japanese:
助け
Korean:
도움
Latvian:
palīdzība
Lithuanian:
pagalba
Norwegian:
hjelp, støtte, assistanse
Polish:
pomoc
Portuguese (Brazil):
ajuda
Portuguese (Portugal):
ajuda
Romanian:
ajutor
Russian:
помощь
Slovak:
pomoc
Slovenian:
pomoč
Spanish:
ayuda
Swedish:
hjälp
Turkish:
yardım
help2[help]noun
someone or something that is useful Example: You're a great help to me.
Arabic:
مُساعِد، مُعين
Chinese (Simplified):
有用
Chinese (Traditional):
有用的人, *物
Czech:
pomoc, podpora
Danish:
hjælp
Dutch:
hulp
Estonian:
abi
Finnish:
apu
French:
secours
German:
die Hilfe
Greek:
βοήθεια
Hungarian:
segítség
Icelandic:
hjálp; hjálparhella
Indonesian:
bermanfaat
Italian:
aiuto
Japanese:
役立つもの
Korean:
도움이 되는 것［사람］
Latvian:
palīgs
Lithuanian:
padėjėjas, pagalba
Norwegian:
(med)hjelper
Polish:
pomoc
Portuguese (Brazil):
ajuda
Portuguese (Portugal):
ajuda
Romanian:
ajutor
Russian:
помощник
Slovak:
pomoc
Slovenian:
pomoč
Spanish:
ayuda
Swedish:
hjälp
Turkish:
yardım, yardımcı, işe yarar
help3[help]noun
a servant, farmworker etc Example: She has hired a new help.
Arabic:
مُساعِد، خادِم
Chinese (Simplified):
帮手
Chinese (Traditional):
幫手
Czech:
pomocník, -ice, posluhovačka
Danish:
hjælper; medhjælper
Dutch:
hulp (in de huishouding)
Estonian:
abiline
Finnish:
apulainen, apumies
French:
domestique, employé, *-ée
German:
die (Aus-)Hilfe
Greek:
βοηθός
Hungarian:
alkalmazott
Icelandic:
aðstoðarmaður
Indonesian:
pembantu
Italian:
domestico; dipendente
Japanese:
手伝
Korean:
고용인, 노동자들
Latvian:
palīgs
Lithuanian:
pagalbininkas, namų ūkio darbininkas
Norwegian:
hushjelp; gårdsarbeider
Polish:
pomocnik
Portuguese (Brazil):
empregado, ajudante
Portuguese (Portugal):
auxiliar
Romanian:
servitor, ajutor
Russian:
прислуга, работник
Slovak:
pomocník, -čka
Slovenian:
sluga, hlapec
Spanish:
criado; asistente; empleado; ayudante
Swedish:
hemhjälp, dräng
Turkish:
işçi, hizmetçi, uşak
help4[help]noun
(usually with no) a way of preventing something Example: Even if you don't want to do it, the decision has been made — there's no help for it now.
Arabic:
لا مَفَر من ذلك
Chinese (Simplified):
（阻止某事的）方法
Chinese (Traditional):
(阻止某事的)方法
Czech:
pomoc
Danish:
hjælp
Dutch:
medicijn, kuur tegen iets
Estonian:
pole midagi parata
Finnish:
sille ei voi mitään
French:
on n'y peut rien
German:
die Abhilfe
Greek:
τρόπος αποφυγής, θεραπεία
Hungarian:
ezen nem lehet segíteni
Icelandic:
engin leið að (hindra e-ð)
Indonesian:
jalan lain
Italian:
rimedio
Japanese:
逃げ道
Korean:
피하는 방법
Latvian:
glābiņš
Lithuanian:
išsigelbėjimas
Norwegian:
(ikke lenger) noe å gjøre
Polish:
rada, ratunek
Portuguese (Brazil):
remédio
Portuguese (Portugal):
remédio
Romanian:
(nu mai e) nimic de făcut
Russian:
средство
Slovak:
pomoc
Slovenian:
ni pomoči
Spanish:
no hay nada que hacer, no hay remedio, no hay vuelta atrás
HELP 1. DEA. A Language for industrial robots. 2. (Help Est un Lisp Paresseux - Help Is a Lazy Lisp). A lazy version of Scheme with strictness annotations, by Thomas Schiex .
Aid\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Aided; p. pr. & vb. n. Aiding.] [F. aider, OF. aidier, fr. L. adjutare to help, freq. of adjuvare to help; ad + juvare to help. Cf. Adjutant.] To support, either by furnishing strength or means in co["o]peration to effect a purpose, or to prevent or to remove evil; to help; to assist. You speedy helpers . . . Appear and aid me in this enterprise. --Shak. Syn: To help; assist; support; sustain; succor; relieve; befriend; co["o]perate; promote. See Help.
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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Audio Help [help] Pronunciation Key 
