aid

aid¹ W2S2 [eıd] n

1.) [U]

help, such as money or food, given by an organization or government to a country or to people who are in a difficult situation

▪ Foreign aid from many countries poured into the famine area.

▪ convoys delivering humanitarian aid

▪ a substantial aid programme

▪ He has been granted legal aid (=free legal services) .

2.) [U]

help that you need to do a particular thing

with/without the aid of sth

▪ Father Poole walked painfully, with the aid of a stick.

3.) in aid of sth

in order to help a ↑charity

▪ We're collecting money in aid of cancer research.

4.) [U]

help or advice that is given to someone who needs it

come/go to sb's aid

(=help someone)

▪ I didn't speak any French, but a nice man came to my aid and told me where to go.

5.)

something such as a machine or tool that helps someone do something

▪ A video is a useful aid in the classroom.

▪ a hearing aid

6.) what's this in aid of?

BrE spoken used to ask what something is used for or why someone is doing something

▪ What's this meeting tomorrow in aid of, then?

7.) an American spelling of aide

→↑first aid

aid ²

aid² v [T]

[Date: 1400-1500; : French; Origin: aider, from Latin adjutare, from adjuvare, from ad- 'to' + juvare 'to help']

1.) to help someone do something

▪ an index to aid the reader

aid sb in/with (doing) sth

▪ Mrs Coxen was aided in looking after the children by her niece.

2.) to make something happen more quickly or easily

▪ Welfare spending aids economic development in three ways.

3.) aid and abet

law to help someone do something illegal