ENGLISH
REFERENCE

assistant

n. countable
A2 Elementary Oxford US //əˈsɪstənt// UK //ɐsˈɪstənt// as·sis·tant Archaic General-service

n. a person who helps someone else do their job. You might work for a manager or help customers in a shop.

n. a person who provides aid, support, or help in a subordinate role. Often used to describe a specific job title within an office or retail environment.


SIMPLE

The shop assistant helps me find the right shoes.

CONTEXTUAL

The executive assistant manages the director's busy schedule and handles all incoming phone calls.

COMPLEX

While the lead researcher designed the experiment, her assistant was responsible for the meticulous daily data entry and equipment maintenance.

Synonyms
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- Proto-Indo-European *stísteh₂ti Proto-Italic *sistō Latin sistō Latin assistōbor. Middle French assister Proto-Indo-European *-onts Latin -ns Latin -āns Old French -ant Middle French -ant Middle French assistantbor. Middle English assistent English assistant From Middle English assistent, from Middle French assistant, from assister. By surface analysis, assist + -ant.

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