auxiliary

[awg-zil-yuh-ree, -zil-uh-]

adjective

1. additional; supplementary; reserve.

   an auxiliary police force.

2. used as a substitute or reserve in case of need.

   The hospital has an auxiliary power system in case of a blackout.

   Synonyms: secondary, ancillary, backup

3. (of a boat) having an engine that can be used to supplement the sails.

   an auxiliary yawl.

4. giving support; serving as an aid; helpful.

   The mind and emotions are auxiliary to each other. Passion is auxiliary to art.

noun

plural

auxiliaries 

1. a person or thing that gives aid of any kind; helper.

   Synonyms: help, assistant, ally, aide

2. an organization allied with, but subsidiary to, a main body of restricted membership, especially one composed of members' relatives.

   The men's club and the ladies' auxiliary were merged into one organization.

3. auxiliary verb.

4. auxiliaries, foreign troops in the service of a nation at war.

5. Navy.,  a naval vessel designed for other than combat purposes, as a tug, supply ship, or transport.

6. Nautical.,  a sailing vessel carrying an auxiliary propulsion engine or engines.

auxiliary

/ -ˈzɪlə-, ɔːɡˈzɪljərɪ /

adjective

1. secondary or supplementary

2. supporting

3. nautical (of a sailing vessel) having an engine

   an auxiliary sloop

noun

1. a person or thing that supports or supplements; subordinate or assistant

2. nautical

   1. a sailing vessel with an engine

   2. the engine of such a vessel

3. navy a vessel such as a tug, hospital ship, etc, not used for combat

Word History and Origins

Origin of auxiliary¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of auxiliary¹

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

Example Sentences

The auxiliary’s Facebook page also encouraged residents to hang blue ribbons outside homes, mailboxes, fences and porches—“for our hometown soldier.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The system can connect to three devices through HDMI, Optical, and auxiliary inputs, and it also supports wireless bluetooth.

Read more on Barron's

“I said no static pictures, too boring,” said Bishop Timothy Freyer, auxiliary bishop of the diocese.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The bonuses, contingent on whether the executives meet their goals, will be funded through what one finance official described as “campus-based auxiliaries” that include philanthropic sources and private fundraising, rather than state or tuition funds.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There will be a security door opened using facial recognition to allow staff to enter the main gymnasium and auxiliary gym through the parking lot.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ancillary