Auxiliary

Adjective

Definition: Providing supplementary or additional help or support.

Synonyms: Supplementary, Additional, Assistant

Antonyms: Primary, Main, Leading

Examples:
  • The auxiliary staff helped with administrative tasks.
  • She played an auxiliary role in the project, assisting the team with research.
Mnemonics:
  • 'Auxiliary' sounds like "extra help" - it provides additional assistance.

Noun

Definition: A person or thing providing supplementary or additional support.

Synonyms: Helper, Assistant, Supporter

Antonyms: Main, Primary, Leading

Examples:
  • The army called in the auxiliaries to provide backup.
  • The auxiliary helped the teacher with classroom activities.
Mnemonics:
  • An auxiliary is like a backup or support system.

Etymology:

Origin:

From Latin "auxiliaris", from "auxilium" meaning "help" or "support".

Historical Usage:

The word "auxiliary" has been used since Middle English, indicating a sense of additional or supplementary support.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Auxiliary verb"

Explanation:

A verb used to support the main verb in a sentence, such as "be", "have", or "do".

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "auxiliary" with "principal" or "primary".

Explanation:

"Auxiliary" refers to something supplementary or additional, while "principal" or "primary" refers to something main or leading.

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