Help - Crossword Clue, Answer and Explanation

'help' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

This is all the clue.

(Other definitions for abet that I've seen before include "Make good" , "Assist criminally" , "helpful" , "Beat up by way of help" , "support wrongdoing" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard, the LA Times and The Telegraph.

(Other definitions for desk that I've seen before include "Bureau" , "Writing surface" , "Work table" , "Escritoire - service counter" , "School furniture item" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard, the LA Times and The Telegraph.

'help' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

This is all the clue.

(Other definitions for mayday that I've seen before include "Cry of distress" , "I'm in trouble" , "Help urgently needed" , "please help" , "call for help?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Penny Press, the King Feature Syndicate, the LA Times, The Times, The New York Times, The Mirror, The Irish Independent, the Evening Standard, The Star Tribune, The Guardian, The Independent, The Irish Times and The Telegraph.

'help' is the definition.
(synonyms)

This is all the clue.

(Other definitions for aid that I've seen before include "Care, assistance" , "Care and help" , "Good point" , "Help or support" , "Relief" .)

I've seen this clue in the King Feature Syndicate, The Times, The Sun, The Wall Street Journal, the LA Times, The Mirror, the USA Today, the Universal, the Evening Standard, The Star Tribune, The Guardian, The Independent, The New York Times and The Telegraph.

'help' is the definition.
(emergency abbreviation SOS)

This is all the clue.

(Other definitions for sos that I've seen before include "International distress code" , "Mayday call" , "Help code in 13 Across" , "request for aid" , "Help initially, Mr Morse" .)

I've seen this clue in the King Feature Syndicate, The Times, The Sun, The Wall Street Journal, the LA Times, The Mirror, the USA Today, the Universal, the Evening Standard, The Star Tribune, The Guardian, The Independent, The New York Times and The Telegraph.

'help' is the definition.
(I know that help is a more specific form of serve)

This is all the clue.

(Other definitions for serve that I've seen before include "Distribute" , "Wait - start the game" , "Commence play in tennis" , "Start (tennis game)" , "Answer the purpose" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror and The New York Times.

'help' is the definition.
(I know that avail is a more specific form of help)

This is the entire clue.

(Other definitions for avail that I've seen before include "Medal (informal)" , "(Of no) use or benefit" , "Be useful" , "Be of help or advantage" , "Help, benefit" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror and The New York Times.

'help' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

This is the entire clue.

(Other definitions for lend a hand that I've seen before include "To assist" , "Provide help" , "Give assistance" , "Pitch in" , "Turn to and help" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard and The Telegraph.

'help' is the definition.
(I know that help can be written as assistance)

This is all the clue.

(Other definitions for assistance that I've seen before include "Help" , "Aid" , "Support" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Independent and the Evening Standard.

Help (4)