Dictionary

helping en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˈhɛlpɪŋ/

Etymology

From Middle English helping, helpinge, helpynge, equivalent to help + -ing.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) The act of giving aid or assistance (to).
   • She finds great joy in helping people.
2. (countable) A portion or serving, especially of food that one takes for oneself, or to which one helps oneself.
   • She eagerly took a second helping of ice cream.
3. (countable, figuratively) An amount or quantity.
   • Wayne Rooney marked his England return with the goal that secured a place in Euro 2012's last eight - but it was a rough passage eased by helpings of good fortune and controversy against Ukraine. 2012 June 19, Phil McNulty, “England 1-0 Ukraine”, in BBC Sport:

Forms

Deriveds

double helping · second helping · helping profession · oath-helping

Relateds

help oneself

helping en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˈhɛlpɪŋ/

Etymology

From Middle English helpinge, helpynge, helpinde, helponde, helpand, from Old English helpende, present participle of Old English helpan (“to help”), equivalent to help + -ing. Cognate with Dutch helpend, German helfend, Swedish hjälpande.

Meanings

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present) present participle and gerund of help
   form of help