meet-helpn.
/ˈmiːthɛlp/, U.S. /ˈmitˌ(h)ɛlp/ Now rare.
A suitable helper; = helpmeet n. Cf. meet-helper n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > [noun] > that which or one who helps or means of help > a helper > fitting
meet-helper1636
helpmeet1661
meet-help1696
1641 Bp. J. Hall Serm. White-hall Aug. 8 25 Idlenesse, ill-husbandry, in mistiming, neglect of meet helps, unculture, ill choyce of seed.
a1643 J. Shute Sarah & Hagar (1649) 18 The end of her Creation; which was, to be a meet help for him.
a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) i. 15 Enjoying the comfortable Society of that meet Help for the space of fourty nine years.
1696 W. Whiston New Theory of Earth ii. 90 Among all these Creatures there was not a Meet-help, or suitable Companion for him.
1708 E. Arwaker Truth in Fiction ii. xlii. 152 Howsoever useful she might seem, The Lady had not a Meet-help in him.
1848 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Nov. 626 Britain's daughters!.. Ye, for meet help and solace made, Go forth to cheer, to bless, to save!
1867 Ladies' Repository Nov. 692/1 She [sc. a wife] is a meet help to him in every darkness, difficulty, and sorrow of life.
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > [noun] > that which or one who helps or means of help > a helper > fitting > condition of being
meet-helping1869
1869 H. Bushnell Women's Suffrage i. 18 The husbanding and meet-helping of the marriage bond itself.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1641