释义 |
as·sist·ant I. \-tənt\ adjective Etymology: Middle English assistant (from Middle French, present participle of assister) & assistent, from Latin assistent-, assistens, present participle of assistere 1. : giving aid or support : helpful, auxiliary < the guilty trade and the innocent manufacture were mutually assistant in more ways than one — G.M.Trevelyan > 2. : acting as a subordinate to another : having a subordinate position or rank < an assistant editor > < an assistant minister > II. noun (-s) Etymology: alteration (influenced by Middle French assistant) of Middle English assistent, from Latin assistent-, assistens 1. archaic : one who is present : spectator 2. a. : one who assists : helper < my close associate and invaluable assistant throughout the struggle > b. : one who acts as a subordinate to another or as an official in a subordinate capacity < accepted a post as resident assistant in a large hospital > < was elected assistant and was for three years the only other officer — R.G.Usher > c. : a member usually of the lowest rank of a college or university faculty whose duties may include grading papers, supervising laboratories, or teaching classes < was appointed assistant in English > 3. : a means of help : auxiliary < rhyme is an assistant to memory > 4. : a substance that aids in the processing of textile fibers; especially : a substance (as sodium sulfate) added to a dyebath for helping fix the dye or mordant to the yarn or fabric, for promoting level dyeing, or for promoting exhaustion of the dyebath |