Assistively

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that offers assistance or aids in completing a task
2. With an approach focused on giving support or helping to achieve a goal
3. Acting so as to contribute helpfully or facilitate someone else's effort

Etymology: "Assistively" is a plain formation: the verb "assist," plus the adjective suffix "-ive," plus the adverb suffix "-ly." "Assist" comes from Latin "assistere," meaning "to stand beside," built from "ad" ("to") and "sistere" ("to stand"). The original sense was physical, someone standing at your side, and the idea of helping came later. The suffix "-ive" reached English through French from Latin "-ivus," which forms adjectives describing a tendency or capacity to do something. Adding "-ly" turns the adjective into an adverb describing how an action is performed. "Assistive" is best known in technology for people with disabilities, so the adverb is uncommon and mainly describes acting in a supportive way.

Synonyms: supportively, helpfully