helper

[hel-per]

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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 of helper

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at help, -er¹

Synonyms for helper

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR helper ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for helper

servant, companion, collaborator, attendant, apprentice, temp, help, deputy, aide, follower, subordinate, partner, supporter, accomplice, adjunct, abettor, henchman, coadjutor, friend, colleague

Examples from the Web for helper

Contemporary Examples of helper

My favorite episode is the one where Homer gets a helper monkey named Mojo.
10 Favorite Movie Monkey Scenes
Crystal the Monkey
July 6, 2011

Historical Examples of helper

Who would for a moment think of suggesting his name as a helper?
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden
She was driven from a pious family; but she had no home, no friend, no helper!
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I
Francis Augustus Cox
He had therefore everything to learn by himself, without any helper.
Self-Help
Samuel Smiles
Joe Nelson, the choreman, is my helper and does all the heavy work.
The Night Riders
Ridgwell Cullum
Before his helper could comment on this declaration, it was repeated.
The Woman-Haters
Joseph C. Lincoln

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.