samaritan
n. countablen. a person who helps someone in trouble, especially a stranger. You use this to describe someone who is kind and helpful when they don't have to be.
n. a person who voluntarily provides help or sympathy to those in distress. Often used in the phrase 'good samaritan' to describe an altruistic individual acting without expectation of reward.
A kind samaritan helped me change my flat tire.
When the elderly woman tripped on the sidewalk, a passing samaritan stopped to help her up and stayed until her daughter arrived.
The legal system often includes 'Good Samaritan' laws to protect those who provide emergency assistance from being held liable for unintentional injury during the rescue attempt.
From Latin Samarītānus, from Ancient Greek Σαμαρείτης (Samareítēs), from Σαμαρεία (Samareía, “Samaria”), derived from Biblical Hebrew שֹׁמְרוֹנִים (Šōmərôním) and שֹׁמְרוֹן (Šōmərôn) respectively. Attested in Old English.
Commonly used in the fixed expression 'good samaritan'. When referring to the historical or biblical group, it is capitalized.