helper

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   That which helps; anything serving to assist.

   While Adobe's Acrobat Reader, Macromedia's Flash player, and other common plug-ins suggest themselves the moment you encounter a site that requires them, other browser helpers are harder to find.

2. 2
   noun

   A locomotive that assists a train, usually on steep gradients.

   A device for the automatic control of crewless helper locomotives cut into the make-up of heavy freight trains has been perfected by the Louisville & Nashville RR in conjunction with the General Railway Signalling Co.

3. 3
   noun

   A stimulating pill, especially amphetamine.

   And I routinely took more “helpers” when I woke up in order to maintain the fast pace and, more importantly, to study for my final exams.

4. 4
   noun

   a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)

5. 5
   noun

   a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

6. 6
   noun

   One who helps; an aide; assistant; auxiliary.

7. 7
   noun

   A person who does cleaning and cooking in a family home, or in a market; domestic employee.

8. 8
   name

   A city in Carbon County, Utah, United States, which got its name from the practice of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad of attaching helper engines to trains there.

Etymology

From Middle English helpere, from Old English *helpere, from Proto-West Germanic *helpārī (“helper”), equivalent to help + -er. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Hälper (“helper”), West Frisian helper (“helper”), Dutch helper (“helper”), German Low German Helper (“helper”), German Helfer (“helper”), Danish hjælper (“helper”), Swedish hjälpare (“helper”), Icelandic hjálpar (“helper”).