[help] vb [ME, fr. OE helpan; akin to OHG helfan to help, and perh. to Lith selpti] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to give assistance or support to "~ a child with homework"
2. a: to make more pleasant or bearable: improve, relieve "bright curtains will ~ the room" "took an aspirin to ~ her headache" b archaic: rescue, save 3 a: to be of use to: benefit b: to further the advancement of: promote
4. a: to change for the better b: to refrain from: avoid c: to keep from occurring: prevent "they couldn't ~ the accident" d: to restrain (oneself) from doing something "knew they shouldn't go but couldn't ~ themselves"
5: to serve with food or drink esp. at a meal "told the guests to ~ themselves"
6: to appropriate something for (oneself) "~ed himself to the car keys" ~ vi 1: give assistance or support--often used with out
2: to be of use or benefit syn see improve -- so help me : upon my word: believe it or not
[2]help n (bef. 12c) 1: aid, assistance
2: a source of aid "printed ~s to the memory --C. S. Braden"
3: remedy, relief "there was no ~ for it"
4. a: one who serves or assists another (as in housework): helper b: employee "~ wanted"--often used collectively "the hired ~"