assistance English · revision 4405

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1398|origins=la assistere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|assistence]], assistance,^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|assistance]], or from [[la-med|assistentia]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)^(MWU 2024) from Latin assistere “to stand by”,^(NODE 1998)^(SOED 2002) the source of [[assist]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The action of helping or aiding: 1398 in the OED,^(OED 1989) the early 15th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Persons present, bystanders or an audience, is from 1491, now obsolete;^(OED 1989) the sense follows French assistance.^(OED 1989) “Being present, attendance” is from before 1520,^(OED 1989) and a body of helpers from 1564 to 1692.^(OED 1989)^(HTOED) Johnson in 1755 defined it as “help; furtherance”.^(Johnson 1755) In Britain, ''assistance'' for National Assistance, a state benefit, is from 1956.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1398 – help, aid.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1491 – those present, an audience.^(OED 1989)

+ * a. 1520 – presence.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1564 – a body of helpers.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1956 – National Assistance.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of [[help]]ing.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # [[Aid]] or support given: ''financial assistance''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[writ of assistance]]

+ * [[public assistance]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[assist]]

+ * [[assistant]]

+ * [[consist]]

+ * [[insist]]

+ * [[persist]]

+ * [[resist]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}