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ancillary

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Ancillary is defined as subordinate or helping.

(adjective)

An extra workbook and live recordings of chapter are examples of ancillary items to a textbook.

The definition of ancillary means something that is helping or subordinate, but not as necessary.

(noun)

An example of ancillary is an overflow valve that is designed to take the pressure off of a main pumping system.

See ancillary in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

subordinate: often with to
that serves as an aid; auxiliary

Origin: < L ancillaris < ancilla, maidservant, dim. of fem. of anculus, servant

See ancillary in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Of secondary importance: “For Degas, sculpture was never more than ancillary to his painting” (Herbert Read).
Auxiliary; helping: an ancillary pump.

noun pl. an·cil·lar·ies

Something, such as a workbook, that is subordinate to something else, such as a textbook.
Archaic A servant.

Origin:

Origin: From Latin ancilla, maidservant

Origin: , feminine diminutive of anculus, servant; see k^wel-¹ in Indo-European roots

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