Auxiliary

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ɔːkˈsɪljəɹi/, IPA: /ɔːkˈsɪliəɹi/, IPA: /ɔːkˈsɪləɹi/
• GenAm IPA: /ɔɡˈzɪljəɹi/, IPA: /ɔɡˈzɪliɛɹi/, IPA: /É”gˈzɪləɹi/
• cot-caught merged IPA: /ɑɡˈzɪljəɹi/, IPA: /ɑɡˈzɪliɛɹi/, IPA: /É‘gˈzɪləɹi/

Origin

From Latin auxiliārius ("assistant, ally"), equiv. to auxiliāris ("helping, aiding"), from auxilium ("help, aid"), from augēre ("to increase").

Full definition of auxiliary

Adjective

1. Helping; giving assistance or support.auxiliary troops
2. Supplementary or subsidiary.
3. Held in reserve for exceptional circumstances.
4. (nautical) Of a ship, having both sails and an engine.
5. (grammar) Relating to an auxiliary verb.

Synonyms

• (supplementary) accessory
• (having sails and engine) motorsailer

Noun

1. A person or group that acts in an auxiliary manner.
2. A sailing vessel equipped with an engine.
3. (grammar) An auxiliary verb.
• 1988, Andrew Radford, Transformational grammar: a first courseThe three traditionally recognized Non-modal Auxiliaries are the per-
  fective Auxiliary have, the progressive Auxiliary be, and the passive Auxiliary
  be. Perfective have is so-called because it marks the completion (hence, perfec-
  tion) of an action; it is followed by a VP headed by a perfective -n participle, as
  in:
  (121)    The referee has shown him the red card
4. A marching band colorguard.

Related terms

• auctioneer
• augment
• augmentation