As*sist"ant (&?;), a. [Cf. F. assistant, p. pr. of assister.] 1. Helping; lending aid or support; auxiliary.

Genius and learning . . . are mutually and greatly assistant to each other.
Beattie.

2. (Mil.) Of the second grade in the staff of the army; as, an assistant surgeon. [U.S.]

&fist; In the English army it designates the third grade in any particular branch of the staff. Farrow.

As*sist"ant (&?;), n. 1. One who, or that which, assists; a helper; an auxiliary; a means of help.

Four assistants who his labor share.
Pope.

Rhymes merely as assistants to memory.
Mrs. Chapone.

2. An attendant; one who is present. Dryden.

• A person who assists or helps someone else
  
• (Brit.) sales assistant
  
• A software tool that provides assistance in some task
  
• Having a subordinate or auxiliary position
  
• Giving help or support
       
• I will need three or four more assistants for assistance with this project.
  
  French
• present participle of assister