adjective
auxiliary
awg-ZIHL-uh-ree
adjective
1
Providing extra help or support to something else, rather than being the main part.
"The hospital brought in auxiliary staff during the outbreak."
"They kept an auxiliary generator in case the power went out."
noun
1
A verb, such as "have," "be," or "will," used together with another verb to show tense, mood, or voice.
"In "she has finished," "has" is the auxiliary."
How to Use Auxiliary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBackup or supporting — something that helps the main thing work, rather than being essential on its own.
Common pairings
auxiliary verb
auxiliary power
auxiliary staff
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The hospital brought in _____ staff during the outbreak.
Etymology
From Latin auxiliarius, "helping," from auxilium, "help, aid," related to augere, "to increase."