Collins English-English Dictionary

help [hεlp]

1. 1. vb to assist or aid (someone to do something), esp by sharing the work, cost, or burden of something

   he helped his friend to escape

   she helped him climb out of the boat

2. 2. vb to alleviate the burden of (someone else) by giving assistance

3. 3. vt. [tr] to assist (a person) to go in a specified direction

   help the old lady up from the chair

4. 4. vt. to promote or contribute to

   to help the relief operations

5. 5. vt. to cause improvement in (a situation, person, etc)

   crying won't help

6. 6. vt. [tr; preceded by can, could, etc; usually used with a negative] to avoid or refrain from

   we can't help wondering who he is

7. 7. vt. [usually foll by it] to prevent or be responsible for

   I can't help it if it rains

8. 8. vt. to alleviate (an illness, etc)

9. 9. vt. [tr] to serve (a customer)

   can I help you, madam?

10. 10. vt. [tr; foll by to] to serve (someone with food, etc) (usually in the phrase help oneself)

    may I help you to some more vegetables?

    help yourself to peas

11. 11. vt. to provide (oneself with) without permission

    he's been helping himself to money out of the petty cash

12. 12. n the act of helping, or being helped, or a person or thing that helps

    she's a great help

13. 13. n a helping

14. 14. n a person hired for a job; employee, esp a farm worker or domestic servant

15. 15. n [functioning as singular] several employees collectively

16. 16. n a means of remedy

    there's no help for it

17. 17. interj used to ask for assistance

18. 18. interj See also help out

19. 19. interj [Etymology] Old English helpan; related to Old Norse hjalpa, Gothic hilpan, Old High German helfan