auxiliary

[ awg-zil-yuh-ree, -zil-uh- ]
/ ɔgˈzɪl yə ri, -ˈzɪl ə- /

adjective

noun, plural aux·il·ia·ries.

Origin of auxiliary

1595–1605; < Latin auxiliārius assisting, aiding, helping, equivalent to auxili(um) aid, help ( aux(us) increased, augmented (past participle of augēre: aug- increase + -sus, variant of -tus past participle suffix) + -ilium noun suffix) + -ārius -ary

SYNONYMS FOR auxiliary

Example sentences from the Web for auxiliaries

British Dictionary definitions for auxiliaries (1 of 2)

auxiliaries
/ (ɔːɡˈzɪljərɪz, -ˈzɪlə-) /

pl n

foreign or allied troops serving another nation; mercenaries

British Dictionary definitions for auxiliaries (2 of 2)

auxiliary
/ (ɔːɡˈzɪljərɪ, -ˈzɪlə-) /

adjective

secondary or supplementary
supporting
nautical (of a sailing vessel) having an engine an auxiliary sloop

noun plural -ries

a person or thing that supports or supplements; subordinate or assistant
nautical
  1. a sailing vessel with an engine
  2. the engine of such a vessel
navy a vessel such as a tug, hospital ship, etc, not used for combat

Word Origin for auxiliary

C17: from Latin auxiliārius bringing aid, from auxilium help, from augēre to increase, enlarge, strengthen

Medical definitions for auxiliaries

auxiliary
[ ôg-zĭlyə-rē, -zĭlə-rē ]

adj.

Functioning in an augmenting capacity; supplementary.
Functioning as a subordinate; secondary.