auxiliary

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Giving extra help or support to something more important.

   The hospital has an auxiliary power supply for emergencies.

2. 2
   noun

   A person or group that gives extra help and support.

   The fire service relies on trained auxiliaries during major incidents.

3. 3
   noun

   In grammar, a verb such as "be", "have", or "do" used with another verb to form tenses, questions, and negatives.

   In "she has gone", "has" is an auxiliary.

From Latin auxiliārius (“assistant, ally”), equiv. to auxiliāris (“helping, aiding”), from auxilium (“help, aid”), from augēre (“to increase”).

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