Assistance, n.
Etymology: [Cf. F. assistance.]
1. The act of assisting; help; aid; furtherance; succor; support. Without the assistance of a mortal hand. Shak.
2. An assistant or helper; a body of helpers. [Obs.] Wat Tyler [was] killed by valiant Walworth, the lord mayor of London, and his assistance, . . . John Cavendish. Fuller.
3. Persons present. [Obs. or a Gallicism]
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists assistance only as an antonym, under impediment.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given