aid

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a resource

   visual aids in teaching

2. 2
   verb

   to improve the condition of

   I aided the patients as much as I could.

3. 3
   verb

   to give help or assistance

   I aided the hurricane victims.

4. 4
   noun

   Help; assistance; succor, relief.

   He came to my aid when I was foundering.

5. 5
   noun

   A helper; an assistant.

   It is not good that man should bee alone, let vs make vnto him an aide like to himselfe.

6. 6
   noun

   Something which helps; a material source of help.

   Slimming aids include dietary supplements and appetite suppressants.

7. 7
   noun

   An historical subsidy granted to the crown by Parliament for an extraordinary purpose, such as a war effort.

   In this parliament was granted to the king for defence against the Scots two aids and two quindecims, the which two aids did not extend over two quindecims.

8. 8
   noun

   Alternative form of aide (“an aide-de-camp”).

   Suddenly, the general's aid entered the room and walked in a straight line, coming to a halt in front of the desk, standing at attention, waiting for the general to recognize him, allowing the aid to speak.

Etymology

From Middle English aide, eide, ayde, from Old French eide, aide, from aidier, from Latin adiūtō, adiūtāre (“to assist, help”). Cognates include Spanish ayuda, Portuguese ajuda and Italian aiuto.