ancillary

Pluralancillaries

1. 1
   secondaryadjective

   Less important than the main thing, and there to help or support it.

   The hospital hires ancillary workers to clean rooms and serve meals.

   For the band, selling T-shirts is ancillary to playing music.

   Similaraccessory

   Oppositemain, primary, central, principal

   Note
2. 2
   extra partnouncountable

   A thing that helps with a main job, like an easel for a painter.

   The boat's ancillaries, like the lights and the pump, run on a small battery.

   A kitchen scale is a useful ancillary for anyone who bakes at home.

   Similaraccessory, adjunct

   Note
3. 3
   assistant (old)nounarchaic

   A person or thing that gives extra help.

   The old doctor traveled with an ancillary who carried his bag.

   The captain's ancillaries cooked, cleaned, and kept the maps dry.

   Note

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