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Definition of aid verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

aid

verb
 
/eɪd/
 
/eɪd/
[intransitive, transitive] (formal)
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they aid
 
/eɪd/
 
/eɪd/
he / she / it aids
 
/eɪdz/
 
/eɪdz/
past simple aided
 
/ˈeɪdɪd/
 
/ˈeɪdɪd/
past participle aided
 
/ˈeɪdɪd/
 
/ˈeɪdɪd/
-ing form aiding
 
/ˈeɪdɪŋ/
 
/ˈeɪdɪŋ/
Idioms
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  1. to help somebody/something to do something, especially by making it easier synonym assist
    • aid in something The test is designed to aid in the diagnosis of various diseases.
    • aid in doing something The research has aided in developing new drugs.
    • aid somebody/something The charity was established to aid hurricane victims.
    • The investigation was greatly aided by the fact that the house was equipped with CCTV cameras.
    • They were accused of aiding his escape.
    • aid somebody to do something They were accused of aiding him to escape.
    • aid somebody/something in something They were accused of aiding him in his escape.
    • aid somebody/something in doing something The strategy can aid teachers in dealing with disruptive behaviour.
    • aid somebody with something Words will be displayed around the room to aid students with spelling.
    see also computer-aided
    Extra Examples
    • The new test should aid in the early detection of the disease.
    • This feature is designed to aid inexperienced users.
    • Aided by heat and strong winds, the fire quickly spread.
    • Computers can be used to aid in management decision-making.
    • The dolphin's skin is designed to aid maximum swimming efficiency.
    • The government has promised to aid and support the new venture.
    • Each group is aided by a tutor or consultant.
    • Candidates are aided by volunteers who do doorstep canvassing.
  2. aid something to help or encourage something to happen
    • New drugs are now available to aid recovery.
    • Some perfumes aid restful sleep.
    • Peppermint aids digestion.
  3. Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French aide (noun), aidier (verb), based on Latin adjuvare, from ad- ‘towards’ + juvare ‘to help’.
Idioms
aid and abet
  1. (law) to help somebody to do something illegal or wrong
    • She stands accused of aiding and abetting the crime.
    • He was charged with aiding and abetting the robbers.
See aid in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee aid in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
aspiration
noun
 
 
From the Word list
Oxford 5000
C1
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