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auxiliary (adj.)
"assisting, giving support," hence "subsidiary, additional," c. 1600, from Latin auxiliaris "helpful, aiding," from auxilium "aid, help, support," related to auctus, past participle of augere "to increase," from PIE root *aug- (1) "to increase."
auxiliary (n.)
c. 1600, "foreign troops in service of a nation at war," from auxiliary (adj.). The Latin adjective also was used as a noun in this sense. In grammar, "a verb used in forming phrases with other verbs and indicating mode or tense," 1762, from the adjective in this sense (1670s). Related: Auxiliaries.
updated on April 09, 2017
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Definitions of auxiliary from WordNet
Dictionary entries near auxiliary
autosome
autosuggestion
autotheism
autumn
autumnal
auxiliary
auxin
avail
availability
available
availing