ancillary:

(plural: ‘ancillaries‘)

an ancillary, a health care worker or nuse

(old usage) a servant;

a person whose job is to help another employee (worker) in some specific work or job;

a subordinate; an auxiliary; a helper,

e.g.

“Our company has an ancillary in Europe.”, i.e. our company has a high-level temporary employee to look after the business affairs of our company in Europe, who assists the regular staff there and intimates us of the developments.

‘Ancillary’ is more commonly used in its adjective form to mean ‘second in importance or order’, ‘helping’, etc., e.g. ‘ancillary staff’, ‘ancillary relief’, ‘ancillary fee’, ‘ancillary services’, “A work book is ancillary to the text book or reader.”, etc.
Note: in the first video of the related videos you see, one on the right of this text and the other one below the text, the word ‘ancillary’ is used in its adjective form. In the one on your right, this word is used to mean something like ‘(machine) parts that are used in building some structure’ — ‘ships’; and in the second video, however, the use of ‘ancillary’, still in its adjective form, is related to employees/workers — three woman cleaners and one male caretaker, in this context.


About the Author:BC Kumar

BC Kumar, an English Language Teacher, taught in numerous countries including Ethiopia, Oman and India, shares his knowledge and passion for the English Language. Disclaimer: This is a free educational website and all content has been compiled by the author. All copyrights to images and videos belong to their respective owners.

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