a. [f. L. assidu-us (f. assidē-re to sit by: see ASSESS v.; lit. ‘sitting down to,’ hence ‘closely applying to’) + -OUS.]
1. Of persons or agents: Constant in application to the business in hand, persevering, sedulous, unwearyingly diligent.
1660. Jer. Taylor, Duct. Dubit., II. ii. vii. § 3. Christ … commands us to be perfect, that is … to be assiduous in our prayers.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 311, ¶ 5. Those assiduous Gentlemen who employ their whole Lives in the Chace.
1876. Green, Short Hist., iii. § 7 (1882), 148. He was assiduous in his attendance on religious services.
2. Constantly endeavoring to please, obsequiously attentive. arch.
a. 1725. Pope, Odyss., VI. 89. The queen, assiduous, to her train assigns The sumptuous viands.
1750. Johnson, Rambl., No. 104, ¶ 13. Few can be assiduous without servility.
3. Of actions: Unremitting, persistent, constant.
1538. Leland, Itin., I. Introd. 20. By infinite Variete of Bookes and assiduus reading of them.
1667. Milton, P. L., XI. 310. To wearie him with my assiduous cries.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 10, ¶ 1. Follies that are only to be killed by a constant and assiduous Culture.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 491. Baxter’s life was chiefly passed … in the assiduous discharge of parochial duties.
† 4. Of things: Constant, regular. Obs.
1661. Evelyn, Fumifug., Misc. Writ. (1805), I. 217. The Election of this constant and assiduous food, should something concerne us.
