An auxiliary is a person who is employed to assist other people in their work. Auxiliaries are often medical workers or members of the armed forces.
Nursing auxiliaries provide basic care, but are not qualified nurses.
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Auxiliary staff and troops assist other staff and troops.
The government's first concern was to augment the army and auxiliary forces.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Auxiliary equipment is extra equipment that is available for use when necessary.
...an auxiliary motor.
...auxiliary fuel tanks.
Synonyms: supplementary, reserve, emergency, substitute More Synonyms of auxiliary
4. countable noun [oft in names]
An auxiliary is an organization that is connected with, but less important than, another organization; for example, an organization for the wives of the members of the main organization.
[US]
The restaurant is operated by the Palo Alto Auxiliary for the benefit of the LucileSalter Packard Children's Hospital.
5. countable noun
In grammar, an auxiliary or auxiliary verb is a verb which is used with a main verb, for example to form different tenses or to make the verb passive. In English, the basic auxiliary verbs are 'be', 'have', and 'do'. Modal verbs such as 'can' and 'will' are also sometimes called auxiliaries.
More Synonyms of auxiliary
English Easy Learning GrammarAuxiliary verbsAn auxiliary verb is a verb that is used together with a main verb to show time andcontinuity. Be and have are the primary auxiliaries. A primary auxiliary ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarModal verbsModal verbs are a particular kind of auxiliary. Look, I can do it! – Oh yes! So you can. Can I use your phone? – Of course you can. Do you think she will ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarWord order in negative statementsIn negative statements, the basic word order for subject and object is the same asin positive statements. John has gone to school. John has not gone to ... Read more
auxiliary in British English
(ɔːɡˈzɪljərɪ, -ˈzɪlə-)
adjective
1.
secondary or supplementary
2.
supporting
3. nautical
(of a sailing vessel) having an engine
an auxiliary sloop
nounWord forms: plural-ries
4.
a person or thing that supports or supplements; subordinate or assistant
5. nautical
a.
a sailing vessel with an engine
b.
the engine of such a vessel
6. navy
a vessel such as a tug, hospital ship, etc, not used for combat
Word origin
C17: from Latin auxiliārius bringing aid, from auxilium help, from augēre to increase, enlarge, strengthen
having an engine that can be used for supplementary power, as a sailing vessel
5.
designating or of any of the noncombat ships, as tankers or tenders, that form the service fleet of a navy
nounWord forms: pluralauxˈiliaries
6.
an auxiliary person or thing
7. [pl.]
foreign or allied armed forces aiding those of a country at war
8.
an assisting or supplementary group or organization
this club has a women's auxiliary
9.
an auxiliary vessel or ship
10. Grammar
auxiliary verb
Word origin
L auxiliaris, helpful < auxilium, aid < pp. of augere, to increase: see wax1
Examples of 'auxiliary' in a sentence
auxiliary
Exactly the same process should be applied to medical and auxiliary staff.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He said that lumps of coal seen in images of the wreckage pointed to the ship having had an auxiliary steam engine.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
At the time she was working as an auxiliary nurse but was in a difficult relationship and having to support her boyfriend.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Now retired, she worked as a hospital auxiliary and admin office worker.
The Sun (2014)
There are men on this ward,' calls the female auxiliary nurse.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
To afford it, she took a third job as a weekend nursing auxiliary - yet she was still at school.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
auxiliary
British English: auxiliary NOUN
An auxiliary is a person who is employed to assist other people in their work.
Nursing auxiliaries provide basic care, but are not qualified nurses.
American English: auxiliary
Brazilian Portuguese: auxiliar
Chinese: 助手
European Spanish: auxiliar
French: auxiliaire
German: Hilfskraft
Italian: ausiliare
Japanese: 助手
Korean: 조수
European Portuguese: auxiliar
Latin American Spanish: auxiliar
All related terms of 'auxiliary'
auxiliary note
a nonharmonic note occurring between two harmonic notes
auxiliary rotor
the tail rotor of a helicopter , used for directional and rotary control
auxiliary verb
a verb used to indicate the tense , voice , mood , etc, of another verb where this is not indicated by inflection , such as English will in he will go , was in he was eating and he was eaten, do in I do like you, etc
modal auxiliary
an auxiliary verb that is used with another verb to indicate its mood , as can, could, may, might , must , shall , should, will , and would
auxiliary police
a part-time reserve attached to a regular police force
ladies' auxiliary
an organization usually made up of the wives of members of another organization
nursing auxiliary
someone who performs duties such as washing and dressing patients , making beds , etc, in an establishment such as a hospital
auxiliary power unit
an additional engine fitted to an aircraft to operate when the main engines are not in use
v. aux.
auxiliary verb
characteristic equation
the characteristic polynomial of a given matrix , equated to zero
secondary storage
storage , as on disk or tape , supplemental to and slower than main storage, not under the direct control of the CPU and generally contained outside it
Chinese translation of 'auxiliary'
auxiliary
(ɔːɡˈzɪlɪərɪ)
adj
[staff, service, force]辅(輔)助的 (fǔzhù de)
[equipment]备(備)用的 (bèiyòng de)
n(c)
(= person) 助手 (zhùshǒu) (位, wèi)
(in grammar) 助动(動)词(詞) (zhùdòngcí)
auxiliary verb助动(動)词(詞) (zhùdòngcí)
1 (adjective)
Definition
secondary or supplementary
auxiliary fuel tanks
Synonyms
supplementary
the question of whether or not we need to take supplementary vitamins
reserve
emergency
The plane is carrying emergency supplies.
substitute
She found work as a substitute teacher.
secondary
back-up
subsidiary
a subsidiary position
fall-back
2 (adjective)
Definition
supporting
the army and auxiliary forces
Synonyms
supporting
helping
aiding
assisting
accessory
Minerals are accessory food factors required in maintaining health.
ancillary
Ancillary services like cleaning are put up for competitive tender.
Opposites
first
,
leading
,
chief
,
main
,
prime
,
essential
,
primary
,
principal
,
cardinal
1 (noun)
Definition
a person or thing that supports or supplements
a nursing auxiliary
Synonyms
helper
Younger children may need a helper.
partner
They were partners in crime.
ally
She is a close ally of the Prime Minister.
associate
the restaurant owner's business associates
supporter
a major supporter of the tax reform plan
assistant
He had been accompanied to the meeting by an assistant.
companion
He has been her constant companion for the last six years.
accessory
She was charged with being an accessory to the embezzlement of funds.
subordinate
protagonist
accomplice
His accomplice was arrested after a high-speed car chase.
confederate
The conspirators were joined by their confederates.
or woman or person">henchman or woman or person
the Sheriff's henchman, Sir Guy of Gisborne
2 (noun)
Definition
a person or thing that supports or supplements
Synonyms
backup
She was added to the squad as a backup.
reserve
a squadron leader in the RAF military reserve
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accessory
Minerals are accessory food factors required in maintaining health.
Synonyms
supplementary,
aiding,
extra,
additional,
accompanying,
secondary,
subordinate,
complementary,
assisting in,
auxiliary,
abetting,
supplemental,
contributory,
ancillary
in the sense of accessory
Definition
a person who is involved in a crime but who was not present when it took place
She was charged with being an accessory to the embezzlement of funds.
Synonyms
accomplice,
partner,
ally,
associate,
assistant,
helper,
colleague,
collaborator,
confederate,
or woman or person">henchman or woman or person,
abettor,
help,
aid
in the sense of accomplice
Definition
a person who helps someone else commit a crime
His accomplice was arrested after a high-speed car chase.