'assistance' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'assistance', ultimately from Late Latin 'assistentia' (from 'assistere'), where 'assistere' meant 'to stand by' (from ad- 'to/toward' + sistere 'to stand').

'assistance' changed from the Late Latin word 'assistentia' to Old French 'assistance' and eventually entered Middle English as 'assistance', becoming the modern English word 'assistance'.

Initially it meant 'the act of standing by or presence' and over time it evolved into its current primary meaning of 'help or support'.