One who gives help to a person, or aids in the execution of a purpose; a helper, an auxiliary; a promoter; also, a means of help, an aid.

An assistant. Cf. adjutant, n. Obsolete. rare.

A person, or company of persons, whose office it is to render help. A person employed to give assistance in household or other manual work; in U.S.…

A person employed to assist in some kind of work; an assistant; spec. a groom's assistant in a stable.

An assistant, a helper. In early use frequently in military contexts.

= assistant, n. 2.

An attendant on a skilled workman, who gives him unskilled help, supplies materials, etc.

In extended use: an assistant, deputy, or partner; a companion, ‘sidekick’.

An assistant; a dogsbody.

An ancillary worker. See sense A. 3.

Someone who runs errands, esp. one employed for such duties on a film set or in an office (see quot. 1972); a general dogsbody.