auxiliary

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   functioning in a supporting capacity

   the main library and its auxiliary branches

2. 2
   adj

   Helping; giving assistance or support.

   auxiliary troops

3. 3
   noun

   A person or group that acts in an auxiliary manner.

   Auxiliaries and ancillaries are comprehensive, and include a Westinghouse motor-driven recriprocating compressor used for locomotive braking and general service air, two rotary exhauster sets for train brakes when hauling passenger or fitted freight trains, and an oil-fired train heating boiler.

4. 4
   noun

   Ellipsis of auxiliary verb.

   The three traditionally recognized Non-modal Auxiliaries are the per- fective Auxiliary have, the progressive Auxiliary be, and the passive Auxiliary be. Perfective have is so-called because it marks the completion (hence, perfec- tion) of an action; it is followed by a VP headed by a perfective -n participle, as in: (121) The referee has [_(VP) shown him the red card]

5. 5
   adj

   furnishing added support

6. 6
   noun

   someone who acts as assistant

7. 7
   adj

   Supplementary or subsidiary.

8. 8
   adj

   Held in reserve for exceptional circumstances.

Etymology

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