Main Entry:

¹as·sist

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈsist\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

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

Date:

15th century

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>