- AS. helpan; akin to OS. helpan, D. helpen, G. helfen, OHG. helfan, Icel. hjālpa, Sw. hjelpa, Dan. hielpe, Goth. hilpan; cf. Lith. szelpti, and Skr. klp to be fitting
- To furnish with strength or means for the successful performance of any action or the attainment of any object; to aid; to assist; as, to help a man in his work; to help one to remember; -- the following infinitive is commonly used without to; as, “Help me scale yon balcony.”
- To furnish with the means of deliverance from trouble; as, to help one in distress; to help one out of prison.Godhelp, poor souls, how idly do they talk!
- To furnish with relief, as in pain or disease; to be of avail against; -- sometimes with of before a word designating the pain or disease, and sometimes having such a word for the direct object.Tohelphim of his blindness.Shak.The true calamus helps coughs.
- To change for the better; to remedy.Cease to lament for what thou canst not help.
- To prevent; to hinder; as, the evil approaches, and who can help it?
- To forbear; to avoid.I can not help remarking the resemblance betwixt him and our author.
- To wait upon, as the guests at table, by carving and passing food.To aid; assist; succor; relieve; serve; support; sustain; befriend.
