First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1assist
verb as·sist \ə-ˈsist\
: to give support or help : to make it easier for someone to do something or for something to happen
Full Definition of ASSIST
transitive verb
: to give usually supplementary support or aid to <assisted the boy with his lessons>
intransitive verb
1
: to give support or aid <assisted at the stove> <another surgeon assisted on the operation>
2
: to be present as a spectator <the ideal figures assisting at Italian holy scenes — Mary McCarthy>
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Origin of ASSIST
Middle French or Latin; Middle French assister to help, stand by, from Latin assistere, from ad- + sistere to cause to stand; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand
Rhymes with ASSIST
2assist
noun
: an action that helps someone
sports : an action (such as passing a ball or puck) that helps a teammate to score
Full Definition of ASSIST
1
: an act of assistance : aid
2
: the action (as a throw or pass) of a player who enables a teammate to make a putout or score a goal; also : official credit given for such an action
3
: a mechanical or electromechanical device that provides assistance
See assist defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ASSIST
1597
ASSISTING Defined for Kids
1assist
verb as·sist \ə-ˈsist\
as·sist·edas·sist·ing
Definition of ASSIST for Kids
: to give support or help <He assisted his mother in preparing dinner.>
Word Root of ASSIST
The Latin word sistere, meaning “to stand,” “to appear,” “to stop,” or “to put,” gives us the root sist. Words from the Latin sistere have something to do with standing, appearing, stopping, or putting. To assist, or help, is to stand by someone in order to give aid. To consist is to be made up of a number of thing put together. To exist, or have actual being, is to appear real. To persist is to refuse to stop doing or saying something.
2assist
noun
Definition of ASSIST for Kids
: an act of supporting or helping <I finished my chores with an assist from my friends.>
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