[f. Gr. Ἀσιδαῖ-οι (ad. Heb. ḥăsīdīm, holy ones, saints) + -AN.] a. orig. One of those Jews who, under the leadership of Mattathias, defended the purity of their worship against the attempts of Antiochus Epiphanes to introduce idolatry. b. in later usage: A member of a Jewish sect professing peculiarly intimate communion with God; more commonly Chasidim.
1382. Wyclif, 2 Macc. xiv. 6. Thei that ben said Assideys [Coverdale, Assidei; 1611 Asideans] of Jewis, to whom Judas Machabeus is souereyn.
1611. Bible, 1 Macc. ii. 42. A company of Assideans.
1834. Penny Cycl., II. 502/1. The Assidians, or Chasidim.
