v. & n.
v. 1 tr. (often foll. by in + verbal noun) help (a person, process, etc.) (assisted them in running the playgroup). 2 intr. (often foll. by in, at) assist or be present (assisted in the ceremony).
n. US 1 help; an act of helping. 2 Baseball etc. a player's action of helping to put out an opponent, score a goal, etc. assistance n. assister n.
[ ME f. F assister f. L assistere take one's stand by (as AD-, sistere take one's stand) ]