helpers

Noun

helper (plural helpers)

1. One who helps; an aide; assistant; auxiliary.
2. That which helps; anything serving to assist.
   • While Adobe's Acrobat Reader, Macromedia's Flash player, and other common plug-ins suggest themselves the moment you encounter a site that requires them, other browser helpers are harder to find.2005, PC World, volume 23, page 158
3. (Hong-Kong, Philippines, Singapore) A person who does cleaning and cooking in a family home, or in a market; domestic employee.
4. (US) A locomotive that assists a train, usually on steep gradients.
   • A device for the automatic control of crewless helper locomotives cut into the make-up of heavy freight trains has been perfected by the Louisville & Nashville RR in conjunction with the General Railway Signalling Co.1964 November, “Automatic helper locomotive control on the Louisville & Nashville RR, USA”, in Modern Railways, page 354

   Synonyms:

   banker

5. (slang) A stimulating pill, especially amphetamine.
   • And I routinely took more “helpers” when I woke up in order to maintain the fast pace and, more importantly, to study for my final exams.1985, Priscilla Presley, Sandra Harmon, Elvis and Me, Putnam, →ISBN, page 152

See all 7 meanings of helper