I. ə-ˈsist 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
II. noun
Date: 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 or electromechanical device that provides assistance