assistant English · revision 3889

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1400|origins=la sistō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈsɪs.tᵊnt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|assistent]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|la|assistēns|t=standing by, attending]] (accusative assistentem),^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) present participle of [[m|la|assistere|t=to stand by, attend]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|ad-|t=to]] and [[m|la|sistere|t=to cause to stand]].^(Etymonline) The spelling assistant arose in French and then, in the 16th century, in English,^(Etymonline) under the influence of Middle French assistant.^(MWU 2024) It is related to [[assist]], [[assistance]] and [[exist]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The adjective, “present to help, auxiliary”: before 1400 in the OED,^(OED 1989) and the mid-15th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The noun, one who helps another, is from the mid-15th century in Etymonline^(Etymonline) and 1541 in the OED;^(OED 1989) a bystander, one present at an assembly, is from 1483.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The adjective also meant “standing by, present”, from 1485, now obsolete.^(OED 1989) Titles such as assistant curate are from 1710.^(OED 1989) The modern noun is chiefly a person who ranks below a senior person, or helps in a particular job, as a shop assistant.^(COED 2004)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1400 – adjective, helping.^(OED 1989)

+ * mid-15th century – noun, a helper.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1483 – a bystander.^(OED 1989)

+ * 16th century – spelling ''assistant''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1710 – ''assistant curate''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who helps another; a [[helper]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A person who ranks below a senior one and shares some duties.^(COED 2004)^(AHD)

+ # ''(British)'' A person who serves customers in a shop.^(Collins 2023)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Holding an [[auxiliary]] or subordinate position: ''assistant manager''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[assistantship]]

+ * [[assistant professor]]

+ * [[physician's assistant]]

+ * [[personal digital assistant]]

+ * [[shop assistant]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[assist]]

+ * [[assistance]]

+ * [[exist]]

+ * [[insist]]

+ * [[resist]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary groups assistant with [[aide]], [[coadjutor]], [[helper]], [[lieutenant]] and [[second]], all for a person who holds a position auxiliary to another and takes on some responsibilities.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}