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Glite Dictionary
auxiliary pump

auxiliary pump

1 5.6
A small machine that moves liquid to help the main pump when needed
  • noun
  • /ɔːɡˈzɪljəri pʌmp/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bomba auxiliar
  • During maintenance, the technician activated the auxiliary pump to provide extra support to the main pump.

Examples

  • In case of an emergency, the auxiliary pump will take over to prevent any disruption in water supply.

  • Go help Call turn on the auxiliary pump.

    Alien Resurrection (1997)

  • The factory uses an auxiliary pump to ensure the main system operates smoothly during peak hours.

Synonyms

donkey pump
vsauxiliary pump
  • Informal
8.1

An extra pump used when more water needs to be moved or the main one fails

serves to support the main unit more generally rather than only add capacity

How Critical

auxiliary pump
  • Specialized
1 5.6
hand pump
2 3.0

Surface Forms

auxiliary pump singular
auxiliary pumps plural

Morphology

auxiliary + pump

The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'auxiliary' (serving as extra or backup) with 'pump' (a machine that moves fluids); a B1 learner who knows both words will infer it refers to a supplementary or backup pump. This adjective+noun compositional pattern is standard in English and common cross-linguistically, so no special idiomatic knowledge is required.

Etymology

Auxiliary pump comes from the image of an auxiliary (a 'helper') pump standing ready next to the main one. That's why it means an extra or 'backup' pump used to help or replace the main pump in an emergency.