helper

[hel-per] /ˈhɛl pər/

noun

a person or thing that helps or gives assistance, support, etc.

an extra locomotive attached to a train at the front, middle, or rear, especially to provide extra power for climbing a steep grade.

Compare doubleheader, pusher (def 5).

Origin

1250-1300; Middle English; see help, -er¹

Synonyms

1. aid, assistant; supporter, backer, auxiliary, ally.

Examples from the web for helper

With a helper, place pots under appropriate section of the bench top, as you carefully lower top onto pots.
Researchers have long argued about whether this kind of selfless behavior, known as altruism, directly benefits the helper.
She had the full-time duties of expedition cook and all-purpose helper.
When the helper-pup ratio decreased, the meerkat pups added weight more slowly, grew into smaller adults and survived less often.
But nobody wants an unpleasant robot in his or her life-any more than one wants to be saddled with a disgruntled human helper.
Without a helper it would be impossible to use in a wheelchair.
He was enjoying a mini-scoring streak heading into the break with four goals and one helper in four contests.
It occurred to him that perhaps the nuclear plant's maintenance staff could replace their plumber's helper with chopsticks.

Word Origin and History for helper

mid-14c., agent noun from help (v.). Helpestre "a female helper" is recorded from c.1400. The Old English agent noun was helpend.

Slang definitions & phrases for helper

Related Terms

boilermaker