auxiliary
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- supplementary, back-up, emergency, fall-back, reserve, secondary, subsidiary, substitute
- supporting, accessory, aiding, ancillary, assisting, helping
[noun]
Synonyms:
- backup, reserve
- helper, assistant, associate, companion, subordinate, supporter

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Contrasted words: chief, leading, main, principal, sole, solitary, unique
Related Words: complementary, supplementary, peripheral, secondary, subordinate, tributary, backing, supporting, upholding, aiding, assisting, helping

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. aux‧il‧ia‧ry¹ /ɔːɡˈzɪljəri, ɔːk- $ ɒːɡˈzɪljəri, -ˈzɪləri/ adjective
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: auxiliaris, from auxilium 'help']

1. auxiliary workers provide additional help for another group of workers:
an auxiliary nurse
auxiliary staff

2. an auxiliary motor, piece of equipment etc is kept ready to be used if the main one stops working properly:
an auxiliary power supply
auxiliary equipment

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. auxiliary² noun (plural auxiliaries) [countable]

1. a worker who provides additional help for another group of workers:
a nursing auxiliary

2. an auxiliary verb:
a modal auxiliary

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲