[as.sist] vb [MF or L; MF assister to help, stand by, fr. L assistere, fr. ad- + sistere to cause to stand; akin to L stare to stand--more at stand] vt (15c): to give usu. supplementary support or aid to ~ vi 1: to give support or aid "~ed at the stove" "another surgeon ~ed on the operation"
2: to be present as a spectator "the ideal figures ~ing at Italian holy scenes --Mary McCarthy"
[2]assist n (1597) 1: an act of assistance: aid
2: the action (as a throw or pass) of a player who enables a teammate to make a putout or score a goal; also: official credit given for such an action
3: a mechanical device that provides assistance