help

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Noun 1.2.1.1 Synonyms 1.2.1.2 Derived terms 1.2.1.3 Translations 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Verb 1.3.1.1 Usage notes 1.3.1.2 Synonyms 1.3.1.3 Derived terms 1.3.1.4 Translations 1.3.2 Interjection 1.3.2.1 Synonyms 1.3.2.2 Translations 2 Dutch 2.1 Verb 3 Old English 3.1 Etymology 3.2 Noun

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• enPR: hĕlp, IPA: /hɛlp/, SAMPA: /hElp/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Etymology 1

From Old English help.

[edit] Noun

help (countable and uncountable; plural helps)

1. (uncountable) Action given to provide assistance; aid.

   I need some help with my homework.

2. (not used in plural form) A person or persons who provide assistance with some task.

   He was a great help to me when I was moving house.

3. (countable) A person employed to help in the maintenance of a house.

   The help is coming round this morning to clean.

[edit] Synonyms

• (action given to provide assistance): aid, assistance
• (person or persons who provide assistance):
• (person employed to help in the maintenance of a house):

[edit] Derived terms

• cry for help
• help desk
• helpful
• helpline
• helpmate
• helpmeet
• help page
• home help
• self-help

[edit] Translations

[edit] Etymology 2

From Old English helpan, from Proto-Germanic *help, from Proto-Indo-European *k̑elp- (“‘to help’”).

[edit] Verb

to help (third-person singular simple present helps, present participle helping, simple past helped or (archaic) holp, past participle helped or (archaic) holpen)

1. (transitive) To provide assistance to (someone or something).

   He helped his grandfather cook breakfast.

2. (transitive) To contribute in some way to.

   The white paint on the walls helps make the room look brighter.

3. (intransitive) To provide assistance.

   She was struggling with the groceries, so I offered to help.

4. (transitive) To avoid; to prevent; to refrain from; to restrain (oneself). Usually used in nonassertive contexts with can.

   We couldn’t help noticing that you were late.

   We couldn’t help but notice that you were late.

   She’s trying not to smile, but she can’t help herself.

   Can I help it if I'm so beautiful?

   Can I help it that I fell in love with you?

   —Are they going to beat us? —Not if I can help it!

[edit] Usage notes

• In uses 1, 2 and 3, this is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. It can also take the bare infinitive with no change in meaning.
• In use 4, can't help is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing) or, with but, the bare infinitive.
• For more information, see Appendix:English catenative verbs

[edit] Synonyms

• (provide assistance to): aid, assist, come to the aid of, help out
• (contribute in some way to): contribute to
• (provide assistance): assist

[edit] Derived terms

• a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
• can't help
• helper
• helping
• help oneself
• help out

[edit] Translations

[edit] Interjection

help

1. I/we desperately need assistance!

   Help! We're under attack!

[edit] Synonyms

• mayday! (used by vessels and aircraft)

[edit] Translations

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[edit] Dutch

[edit] Verb

help

1. The first-person singular present tense of helpen.
2. The imperative form of helpen.

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[edit] Old English

[edit] Etymology

Common Germanic *helpo

[edit] Noun

help f.

1. help