I. ȯg-ˈzil-yə-rē, -ˈzil-rē, -ˈzi-lə- adjective
Etymology: Latin auxiliaris, from auxilium help; akin to Latin augēre to increase — more at eke
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : offering or providing help
b. : functioning in a subsidiary capacity
an auxiliary branch of the state university
2. of a verb : accompanying another verb and typically expressing person, number, mood, or tense
3.
a. : supplementary
b. : constituting a reserve
an auxiliary power plant
4. : equipped with sails and a supplementary inboard engine
an auxiliary sloop
II. noun
( plural -ries )
Date: 1567
1.
a. : an auxiliary person, group, or device ; specifically : a member of a foreign force serving a nation at war
b. : a Roman Catholic titular bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and not having the right of succession — called also auxiliary bishop
2. : an auxiliary boat or ship
3. : an auxiliary verb