a. and sb.; also 5 ayante, aydaunt, 6 aydant. [a. OFr. aiant, aidant pr. pple. of aider (also aier): see AID v.]
A. adj. Helping, assisting; helpful.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 420/1. Saynt Thomas whos merytes be unto us aydaunte and helpyng.
1605. Shaks., Lear, IV. iv. 17. Be aydant and remediate In the good man’s distress!
1830. Coleridge, Ch. & St., 179. I would gladly be aidant, as far as my poor mite of judgment will enable me.
1855. Bailey, Mystic, 91. The topaz, aidant in all holy rites.
B. sb. A helper, assistant. rare.
1475. Caxton, Jason, 11. The ayantes and helpers of the quene.
1611. Cotgr., Aide, an aidant, helper.
1879. Sir R. Phillimore, in Law Rep. Prob. Div., V. 33. The Court is now called upon to be an aidant to the enforcement of a judgment given by a Portuguese Court.
