Etymology
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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.

Entries linking to auxiliary

*aug- (1)

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to increase." It forms all or part of: auction; augment; augmentative; augur; August; august; Augustus; author; authoritarian; authorize; auxiliary; auxin; eke (v.); inaugurate; nickname; waist; wax (v.1) "grow bigger or greater."

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit ojas- "strength," vaksayati "cause to grow;" Lithuanian augu, augti "to grow," aukštas "high, of superior rank;" Greek auxo "increase," auxein "to increase;" Gothic aukan "to grow, increase;" Latin augmentum "an increase, growth," augere "to increase, make big, enlarge, enrich;" Old English eacien "to increase," German wachsen, Gothic wahsjan "to grow, increase."

updated on April 09, 2017

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Definitions of auxiliary from WordNet
1
auxiliary (adj.)
functioning in a supporting capacity;
the main library and its auxiliary branches
Synonyms: subsidiary / supplemental / supplementary
auxiliary (adj.)
furnishing added support;
The mind and emotions are auxiliary to each other
Synonyms: accessory / adjunct / ancillary / adjuvant / appurtenant
2
auxiliary (n.)
someone who acts as assistant;
Synonyms: aide
From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near auxiliary

autosome

autosuggestion

autotheism

autumn

autumnal

auxiliary

auxin

avail

availability

available

availing

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