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1. An individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
   "the helpings were all small";
   - portion, serving

1. Give assistance; be of service
   "Everyone helped out during the earthquake"; "Can you help me carry this table?"; "She never helps around the house";
   - assist, aid
    
2. Improve the condition of
   "These pills will help the patient";
   - aid
    
3. Be of use
   "This will help to prevent accidents";
   - facilitate
    
4. Abstain from doing; always used with a negative
   "I can't help myself--I have to smoke"; "She could not help watching the sad spectacle";
   - help oneself
    
5. Give a portion of food or drink
   "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself";
   - serve
    
6. Contribute to the furtherance of
   "This money will help the development of literacy in developing countries"
    
7. Take or use
   "She helped herself to some of the office supplies";
   - avail
    
8. Improve; change for the better
   "New slipcovers will help the old living room furniture"

Derived forms: helpings

Type of: advance, ameliorate, amend, back up, better, boost, cater, encourage, exploit, forbear, further, improve, meliorate, mend, ply, promote, provide, refrain, serve, small indefinite amount, small indefinite quantity, supply, support, work

Part of: meal, repast

Encyclopedia: Helping