From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Assistant \As*sist"ant\, a. [Cf. F. assistant, p. pr. of
assister.]
1. Helping; lending aid or support; auxiliary.
[1913 Webster]
Genius and learning . . . are mutually and greatly
assistant to each other. --Beattie.
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2. (Mil.) Of the second grade in the staff of the army; as,
an assistant surgeon. [U.S.]
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Note: In the English army it designates the third grade in
any particular branch of the staff. --Farrow.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Assistant \As*sist"ant\, n.
1. One who, or that which, assists; a helper; an auxiliary; a
means of help.
[1913 Webster]
Four assistants who his labor share. --Pope.
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Rhymes merely as assistants to memory. --Mrs.
Chapone.
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2. An attendant; one who is present. --Dryden.
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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
assistant
adj 1: of or relating to a person who is subordinate to another
[syn: adjunct, assistant]
n 1: a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or
furtherance of an effort or purpose; "my invaluable
assistant"; "they hired additional help to finish the work"
[syn: assistant, helper, help, supporter]