əˈsistən(t)s noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English assistence (from Medieval Latin assistentia, from Latin assistent-, assistens + -ia -y) & assistance, from Middle French, from assister + -ance
1.
a. : the act or action of assisting : aid , help
might from time to time require the assistance of a mild digestive — Dorothy Sayers
b. : the help supplied or given : support
economic assistance to several countries
specifically : aid (often financial) to the needy
a program of public assistance
2. archaic
a. : presence , attendance
b. : audience