Word Study
assistant
CIDE DICTIONARY
assistant, a. [Cf. F. assistant, p. pr. of assister.].
- Helping; lending aid or support; auxiliary. [1913 Webster]"Genius and learning . . . are mutually and greatly assistant to each other." [1913 Webster]
- Of the second grade in the staff of the army; as, an assistant surgeon. [1913 Webster]" In the English army it designates the third grade in any particular branch of the staff." Farrow. [1913 Webster]
assistant, n.
- One who, or that which, assists; a helper; an auxiliary; a means of help. [1913 Webster]"Four assistants who his labor share." [1913 Webster]"Rhymes merely as assistants to memory." [1913 Webster]
- An attendant; one who is present. Dryden. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
assistant, n.
1 a helper.
2 (often attrib.) a person who assists, esp. as a subordinate in a particular job or role.
3 = shop assistant.
1 a helper.
2 (often attrib.) a person who assists, esp. as a subordinate in a particular job or role.
3 = shop assistant.
Etymology
ME assistent f. med.L assistens assistent- present (as ASSIST, -ANT, -ENT)
THESAURUS
assistant
acolyte, adjutant, agent, aid, aide, aide-de-camp, aider, ancilla, assistant professor, associate, associate professor, attendant, attorney, auxiliary, benefactor, best man, co-worker, coadjutant, coadjutor, coadjutress, coadjutrix, deputy, emeritus, employee, executive officer, factor, fall guy, flunky, girl Friday, help, helper, helpmate, helpmeet, henchman, hired hand, hired man, hireling, inferior, instructor, junior, lecturer, lieutenant, man Friday, mercenary, minion, myrmidon, paranymph, paraprofessional, patsy, pensioner, professor, professor emeritus, proxy, reader, retired professor, right-hand man, second, secondary, servant, sideman, stooge, striker, subordinate, subsidiary, supporting actor, supporting instrumentalist, tutor, underling, understrapper, visiting professor, worker, workfellow, yokemateROGET THESAURUS
assistant
Auxiliary
N auxiliary, recruit, assistant, adjuvant, adjutant, ayudante, coaid, adjunct, help, helper, help mate, helping hand, midwife, colleague, partner, mate, confrere, cooperator, coadjutor, coadjutrix, collaborator, ally, friend, confidant, fidus Achates, pal, buddy, alter ego, confederate, accomplice, complice, accessory, accessory after the fact, particeps criminis, socius criminis, aide-de-camp, secretary, clerk, associate, marshal, right-hand, right-hand man, Friday, girl Friday, man Friday, gopher, gofer, candle- holder, bottle-holder, handmaid, servant, puppet, cat's-paw, jackal, tool, dupe, stooge, ame damnee, satellite, adherent, votary, sectarian, secretary, seconder, backer, upholder, abettor, advocate, partisan, champion, patron, friend at court, mediator, angel (theater, entertainment), friend in need, Jack at a pinch, deus ex machina, guardian angel, tutelary genius.For further exploring for "assistant" in Webster Dictionary Online