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Ally vs Assistant - What's the difference?

ally | assistant |

As a proper noun ally

is a diminutive of the female given names alison, alice and alexandra.

As an adjective assistant is

having a subordinate or auxiliary position.

As a noun assistant is

(obsolete) someone who is present; a bystander, a witness.

ally

English

(Webster 1913)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) alien, (etyl) alier (Modern French allier), from (etyl) . Compare alligate, allay, alloy and ligament.

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To unite, or form a connection between, as between families by marriage, or between princes and states by treaty, league, or confederacy
  • * (rfdate) :
  • O chief! in blood, and now in arms allied .
  • To connect or form a relation between by similitude, resemblance, friendship, or love.
  • * (rfdate) :
  • These three did love each other dearly well, And with so firm affection were allied .
  • * (rfdate) :
  • The virtue nearest to our vice allied .
    Usage notes
    * Generally used in the passive form or reflexively. * Often followed by to'' or ''with .
    Synonyms
    * make common cause

    Noun

    (allies)
  • One united to another by treaty or league; — usually applied to sovereigns or states; a confederate.
  • * (rfdate) :
  • the English soldiers and their French allies
  • Anything associated with another as a helper; an auxiliary.
  • * (rfdate) Buckle:
  • Science, instead of being the enemy of religion, becomes its ally.
  • Anything akin to something else by structure, etc.
  • (taxonomy) A closely related species, usually within the same family.
  • Gruiformes — cranes and allies
  • (obsolete) A relative; a kinsman.
  • (Shakespeare)

    Etymology 2

    Diminutive of alabaster.

    Noun

    (allies)
  • (a glass marble or taw)
  • References

    *

    Anagrams

    * English heteronyms

    assistant

    English

    Alternative forms

    * assistaunt (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (-) (attributive)
  • Having a subordinate or auxiliary position.
  • an assistant surgeon
  • Helping; lending aid or support; auxiliary.
  • * Beattie
  • Genius and learning are mutually and greatly assistant to each other.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) Someone who is present; a bystander, a witness.
  • *, II.3:
  • a woman of great authority, having first yeelded an accompt unto her Citizens, and shewed good reasons why she was resolved to end her life, earnestly entreated Pompey to be an assistant at her death, that so it might be esteemed more honourable.
  • A person who assists or helps someone else.
  • (British) Sales assistant.
  • A software tool that provides assistance in some task.
  • Anagrams

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