/ əˈsɪst; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
assist (sb) (in / with sth) | assist (sb) (in doing sth) to help sb to do sth :
[ vn ]
We'll do all we can to assist you.
We will assist you in finding somewhere to live.
The play was directed by Mike Johnson, assisted by Sharon Gale.
Two men are assisting the police with their enquiries (= are being questioned by the police) .
[ vn to inf ]
a course to assist adults to return to the labour market
[ v ]
Anyone willing to assist can contact this number.
We are looking for people who would be willing to assist in the group's work.
2.
[ vn ] to help sth to happen more easily :
activities that will assist the decision-making process
■ noun
an action in hockey , baseball , etc. in which a player helps another player on the same team to score a goal or point
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French assister , from Latin assistere take one's stand by, from ad- to, at + sistere take one's stand.