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| help [ help ] |
verb (past and past participle helped, present participle help·ing, 3rd person present singular helps) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb assist somebody: to make it easier or possible for somebody to do something that one person cannot do alone by providing assistance
  Can you help me solve this problem?
Can I help with those bags?
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2. transitive and intransitive verb advise somebody: to provide somebody with advice, directions, or other information
Can you help me? I'm looking for Belmont Road.
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3. transitive and intransitive verb be useful: to make something easier or more likely
It would help if you didn't keep shaking the ladder.
Would a business degree help me get a better job?
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4. transitive and intransitive verb make things better: to bring about an improvement in something unpleasant, unbearable, or unfortunate
I took two pills, but they didn't help my headache.
You look ridiculous in that dress, and the hat doesn't help.
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5. transitive and intransitive verb provide for somebody's needs: to provide somebody with something that he or she needs, especially money
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6. transitive and intransitive verb advance something: to promote the advancement or improvement of something
Opening a new sports center won't end teenage crime, but it might help.
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7. transitive verb wait on somebody: to wait on somebody in a store, restaurant, or other establishment
Can I help you, sir?
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8. transitive verb bring somebody food: to give somebody or yourself a serving of food
He helped us all to some cake.
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9. transitive verb keep somebody from doing something: to keep somebody or yourself from doing something
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usually used in negative statements
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We couldn't help overhearing your conversation.
I didn't want to laugh, but I couldn't help myself.
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10. transitive verb prevent something: to prevent something from happening
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usually used in negative statements
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The child couldn't have helped the accident.
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noun (plural helps) |
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| Definition: |
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1. assistance: something that is done for or given to somebody in order to make something easier, possible, or better
I could do with some help in the kitchen.
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2. somebody or something that assists: somebody who provides aid or assistance to somebody
The headaches are pretty bad, but the new medicine is a help.
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3. way out of something: a way of avoiding doing something or of undoing something
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often used in negative statements
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a situation for which there was no help
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4. servant or laborer: a person or persons who are paid to help, especially servants or farm hands
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often considered offensive
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He treated all the employees like help, and they resented it.
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interjection |
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| Definition: |
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calls for assistance: used to call for assistance when somebody is in danger or difficulty
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| [ Old English helpan< Germanic] |
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help yourself to take something for your own use, usually without permission
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