v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' sist
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French assister to help, stand by, from Latin assistere, from ad- + sistere to cause to stand; akin to Latin stare to stand ― more at STAND
Date: 15th century
transitive verb : to give usually supplementary support or aid to < assist ed the boy with his lessons>
intransitive verb
1 : to give support or aid < assist ed at the stove> <another surgeon assist ed on the operation>
2 : to be present as a spectator <the ideal figures assist ing at Italian holy scenes ― Mary McCarthy>