AIDS
noun
ˈādz 
: a disease of the human immune system that is characterized cytologically especially by reduction in the numbers of CD4-bearing helper T cells to 20 percent or less of normal thereby rendering the subject highly vulnerable to life-threatening conditions (such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and to some (such as Kaposi's sarcoma) that become life-threatening and that is caused by infection with HIV commonly transmitted in infected blood especially during illicit intravenous drug use and in bodily secretions (such as semen) during sexual intercourse
Word History
Etymology
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
First Known Use
1982, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing AIDS
Kids Definition
AIDS
noun
ˈādz
: a serious disease of the human immune system in which large numbers of the cells that help the body fight infection are destroyed by the HIV virus carried in the blood and other fluids of the body
Medical Definition
AIDS
noun
ˈādz
: a disease of the human immune system that is characterized cytologically especially by a reduction in the numbers of CD4-bearing helper T cells to 20 percent or less of normal thereby rendering the subject highly vulnerable to life-threatening conditions (as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and to some that become life threatening (as Kaposi's sarcoma) and that is caused by infection with HIV commonly transmitted in infected blood especially during illicit intravenous drug use and in bodily secretions (as semen) during sexual intercourse
called also acquired immune deficiency syndrome, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
aids 1 of 2
noun
1
as in aides
a person who helps a more skilled person Jack is his mother's preferred aid in the kitchen, as his sister Janice is clumsy when it comes to chopping and peeling Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- aides
- assistants
- adjutants
- apprentices
- sidekicks
- deputies
- helpers
- adjuncts
- coadjutors
- lieutenants
- helpmates
- help
- helpmeets
- servants
- employees
- mates
- workers
- maids
- auxiliaries
- attendants
- hands
- subordinates
- legmen
- right hands
- laborers
- handmaidens
- scullions
- underlings
- employes
- hirelings
- maidservants
- handmaids
- swampers
- girl Fridays
- man Fridays
- aides-de-camp
- gal Fridays
2
as in benefits
a thing that helps a dictionary is a handy aid for working crossword puzzles Synonyms & Similar Words
- benefits
- advantages
- help
- assets
- resources
- boons
- supports
- lifts
- hands
- blessings
- sustenances
- recourses
- pick-me-ups
- refuges
- windfalls
- godsends
- resorts
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- impediments
- hindrances
- disadvantages
- drawbacks
- encumbrances
- obstacles
- restraints
- obstructions
- inhibitors
- liabilities
- constraints
- minuses
- strangleholds
3
as in assists
an act or instance of helping the clerk asked if she needed any aid carrying out her purchases Synonyms & Similar Words
- assists
- assistances
- help
- supports
- boosts
- lifts
- hands
- encouragements
- advice
- services
- backings
- guidance
- helping hands
- legs up
- abetments
- facilitations
- furtherances
- advancements
- promotions
- counsel
- benefactions
- nurturances
- sponsorships
- beneficences
- attentions
- patronages
- favors
- care
- succors
- charities
- attendances
- palliations
- reliefs
- hand-holdings
- assuagements
- philanthropies
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hindrances
- obstructions
- restraints
- interferences
- constraints
- inhibitions
- frustrations
- repressions
- discouragements
- deterrences
aids
2 of 2verb
as in helps
to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end sought to aid her in her search for a dachshund puppy by looking online Synonyms & Similar Words
- assists
- helps
- supports
- abets
- facilitates
- reinforces
- promotes
- backs
- guides
- bolsters
- encourages
- backstops
- saves
- endorses
- bears a hand
- benefits
- sponsors
- eases
- comforts
- fosters
- advances
- rescues
- furthers
- champions
- launches
- forwards
- boosts
- serves
- stands one in good stead
- sustains
- props (up)
- patronizes
- attends
- succors
- indorses
- mentors
- advises
- counsels
- profits
- buttresses
- favors
- reenforces
- nurtures
- ministers (to)
- obliges
- heartens
- emboldens
- bails out
- delivers
- cares (for)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hinders
- impedes
- hampers
- inhibits
- obstructs
- restrains
- interferes
- blocks
- handicaps
- constrains
- thwarts
- opposes
- bars
- frustrates
- sabotages
- baffles
- discourages
- strangles
- fails
- holds back
- balks
- foils
- retards
- inconveniences
- disappoints
- deserts
- lets down
- hurts
- harms
- stifles
- damages
- represses
- injures
- stunts
- disheartens
- straitens
- sweet fern
- sweet flag
- sweet gale
- sweet goldenrod
- sweet gum
- sweet gum scale
- sweet herb
- sweet horsemint
- sweet jarvil
- sweet jarvils
- sweet javril
- sweet javrils
- sweet John
- sweet lemon
- sweet locust
- sweet magnolia
- sweet maize
- sweet marjoram
- sweet marten
- sweet Mary
- sweet mash
- sweet myrtle
- sweet niter
- sweet nothings
- sweet oil