Assist

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /əˈsɪst/

Definitions

1. To offer help or support that enables someone to achieve a certain objective or task while improving the overall effectiveness of their efforts
2. To provide support or help to someone in completing a task while also enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of their efforts
3. To give help or support to someone in performing a task or duty ; to contribute in a way that improves the outcome or success of an action

Etymology: Before it meant lending a hand, "assist" was a posture: Latin "assistere" combined "ad-" (toward, at) with "sistere," a causative form of "stare," to stand. To assist someone was literally to stand beside or at them. The Latin verb carried this physical sense of standing at a place or in attendance, and the bodily image of taking up a position next to someone is what sits underneath the modern idea of support. The word passed into English by way of Old French "assister," meaning to attend or to help, and entered Middle English as "assisten." The Middle English form kept the sense of attending upon someone, so an assistant was once simply a person in attendance, and the verb's shift toward giving practical aid grew out of that original notion of being present at someone's side.

Synonyms: help, aid, support, facilitate, back

Antonyms: hinder, obstruct, impede, oppose, resist