Obs. Forms: 4 aseeth, a seeth, 4–5 aseth, a-seth, assethe, 5 a seth, a-sethe, asethe, aseyth, asseth, (assete, assetz). Aphet. seth(e. See also ASSYTH for the northern forms. [a. OF. a(s)set (pronounced ase·þ), also ases, asez, sb., orig. the same word as ases, assez adv. ‘enough’:—late L. ad satis, for cl. L. sat, satis, ‘enough’ (see ASSETS). In the phrase satis facĕre, OF. aset fere, fere aset, ‘to make amends,’ the adv. was treated as a sb. ‘amends,’ nom. ases (asez), objective aset, which was the form adopted in Eng. As final -t in OF. was = þ (cf. faith, poortith), aseth was the reg. ME. spelling. The word had no connection in Eng. with assets, and was obsolete before the latter came into English use.]
Satisfaction; compensation, amends, reparation, expiation. To make or do asseth (= OF. fere aset, L. satis facĕre): to satisfy (desires), expiate (sin), make atonement (to a person for a wrong).
c. 1340. Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 3610. Thurgh assethe makyng, Als thurgh penance of fre[n]des and fastyng.
c. 1375. Wyclif, Serm., v. Sel. Wks. 1869, II. 237. To make aseþ for mannis synne.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XVII. 237. If it suffice nouȝte for assetz [other MSS. asseth] … Mercy … wil make good the remenaunte.
1382. Wyclif, 1 Sam. iii. 14. The wickidnes of hys hows shal not be doon a seeth. Ibid. (1388), Mark xv. 15. Pilat, willynge to make aseeth [1382 to do ynow] to the puple.
1430. Lydg., Chron. Troy, IV. xxxviii. To make assete by oblacyon For the thefte.
1436. Test. Ebor. (1855), II. 217. They sall have amendis and asseth for thare losse.
1461. Paston Lett., 408, II. 36. Compelle hem to make amendes and sethe to the pore peple.
1494. Fabyan, VI. cxciv. 199. He made a seth and amendes to Goddes pleasure.
