3 VERB To aid someone means to help or assist them. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n] …a software system to aid managers in advanced decision-making. □ [V -ed] The hunt for her killer will continue, with police aided by the army and air force. [Also V n to-inf] ● N‑UNCOUNT Aid is also a noun. □ He was forced to turn for aid to his former enemy.
4 N‑UNCOUNT If you perform a task with the aid of something, you need or use that thing to perform that task. □ [+ of ] He succeeded with the aid of a completely new method he discovered.
5 N‑COUNT An aid is an object, device, or technique that makes something easier to do. □ [+ to ] The book is an invaluable aid to teachers of literature.
6 VERB If something aids a process, it makes it easier or more likely to happen. □ [V n] The export sector will aid the economic recovery. □ [V + in ] Calcium may aid in the prevention of colon cancer.
7 → see also Band-Aid , first aid , hearing aid , legal aid
8 PHRASE An activity or event in aid of a particular cause or charity is intended to raise money for that cause or charity. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a charity performance in aid of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.
9 PHRASE If you come or go to someone's aid , you try to help them when they are in danger or difficulty. COLLOCATIONS aid NOUN
1
noun + aid : development, food; government, state
adjective + aid : humanitarian, legal, medical, military; foreign, international, overseas; economic, financial
verb + aid : deliver, distribute, pledge, provide; cut, increase, suspend, withdraw; need, receive
4
verb + aid : enlist
5
noun + aid : buoyancy, hearing, mobility, teaching
adjective + aid : electronic, navigational, visual VERB
2
aid + noun : refugees; economy, research
3
aid + noun : digestion, identification, understanding SYNONYMS aid NOUN
1
handout: Soldiers oversee the food handouts.
relief: …famine relief.
support: …the government's proposal to cut agricultural support by only about 15%.
charity: Her husband is unemployed and the family depends on charity.
assistance: We shall offer you assistance with legal expenses up to $5,000.
4
backing: He said the president had the full backing of his government to negotiate a deal.
support: The prime minister gave his full support to the government's reforms.
assistance: Since 1976 he has been operating the shop with the assistance of volunteers.
aide /e I d/ (aides ) N‑COUNT An aide is an assistant to someone who has an important job, especially in government or in the armed forces. □ [+ to ] …a close aide to the Prime Minister.
aide-de-camp /e I d də kɒ m/ (aides-de-camp ) N‑COUNT An aide-de-camp is an officer in the armed forces who helps an officer of higher rank. □ [+ to ] …a colonel who had been aide-de-camp to the king.
aide-memoire /e I d me mwɑː r / (aide-memoires ) also aide-mémoire N‑COUNT An aide-memoire is something such as a list that you use to remind you of something.
AIDS ◆◆◇ /e I dz/ N‑UNCOUNT AIDS is a disease which destroys the natural system of protection that the body has against other diseases. AIDS is an abbreviation for 'acquired immune deficiency syndrome'.
ail /e I l/ (ails , ailing , ailed ) VERB If something ails a group or area of activity, it is a problem or source of trouble for that group or for people involved in that activity. □ [V n] A full-scale debate is under way on what ails the industry.
ailer|on /e I lərɒn/ (ailerons ) N‑COUNT An aileron is a section on the back edge of the wing of an aircraft that can be raised or lowered in order to control the aircraft's movement.
ail|ing /e I l I ŋ/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An ailing organization or society is in difficulty and is becoming weaker. □ The rise in overseas sales is good news for the ailing American economy.
2 ADJ If someone is ailing , they are ill and are not getting better. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
ail|ment /e I lmənt/ (ailments ) N‑COUNT An ailment is an illness, especially one that is not very serious. □ The pharmacist can assist you with the treatment of common ailments.
aim ◆◆◇ /e I m/ (aims , aiming , aimed )
1 VERB If you aim for something or aim to do something, you plan or hope to achieve it. □ [V + for/at ] He is aiming for the 100 metres world record. □ [V to-inf] …an appeal which aims to raise funds for children with special needs.
2 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] The aim of something that you do is the purpose for which you do it or the result that it is intended to achieve. □ [+ of ] The aim of the festival is to increase awareness of Hindu culture and traditions.
3 V-PASSIVE If an action or plan is aimed at achieving something, it is intended or planned to achieve it. □ [be V -ed at n/v-ing] The new measures are aimed at tightening existing sanctions. □ [V -ed] …talks aimed at ending the war.