Also 6 assyst. [a. F. assiste-r (15th c. in Littré), ad. L. assist-ĕre, f. ad-, as- to + sistĕre to take one’s stand.]
I. To stand to or by; to be present.
† 1. intr. To take one’s stand to or towards a place; fig. to stand to, abide by (an opinion). Obs.
c. 1565. R. Lindsay, Chron. Scot. (1728), 2. A great Part of the Nobility assisted to his Opinion.
1646. J. G[regory], Notes & Obs. (1650), 74. Assisting especially … to the East.
† 2. trans. To stand or remain near, to stand by; to attend, escort. Obs.
1525. Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. clvii. [cliii.] 429. The quenes lytter … was assysted with the duke of Thourayne, and the duke of Burbone.
a. 1650. Crashaw, Sospetto d’Herode, ix. Three vigorous virgins, waiting still behind, Assist the throne of th’ iron-sceptred king.
† 3. trans. To take one’s place with (a person), join, accompany, attend. Also absol. Obs.
1553. T. Wilson, Rhet., 11 b. It was no mastery for David, beyng assisted with God to overthrowe this one man.
1607. Shaks., Cor., V. vi. 156. Yet he shall haue a noble Memory. Assist. Ibid. (1610), Temp., I. i. 57. The King, and Prince, at prayers, let’s assist them.
† b. To attend upon (a sick person or the period of his illness) with religious ministrations. (Cf. F. assister un malade: lui donner des soins; l’exhorter à bien mourir. Littré.) Obs. rare.
1664. Evelyn, Freart’s Archit., Ep. Ded. 18. His Sickness … was assisted by his Director the R. P. de Sainct Jure.
4. intr. To be present (at a ceremony, entertainment, etc.), whether simply as a spectator, or taking part in the proceedings. (In the former case, ‘To be present at without taking part in,’ now treated as a French idiom.)
1626. C. Potter, Father Paul’s Hist., I. 32. The Counsellors assembled to assist at a solemn Masse.
1705. Addison, Italy (1767), 29. The Duke of Lorrain used often to assist at their midnight devotions.
1765. Wilkes, Corr. (1805), II. 163. Last Saturday I assisted at the great festival.
1837. J. H. Newman, Proph. Office Ch., 96. I quote the words of Cornelius Mussus … who assisted at the Council of Trent.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 53. The congregation may be said to assist as spectators rather than as auditors.
1854. Thackeray, Newcomes, II. 103. The dinner at which we have just assisted.
18[?]. Dickens, Seven Poor Trav., 12. And assisted—in the French sense—at the performance of two waltzes.
1873. Q. Rev., CXXXV. 183. The sane and sober must simply ‘assist,’ in the French sense, i. e. stand by and say nothing.
† b. Const. to (after Fr. assister à). Obs.
1603. Florio, Montaigne (1634), 392. Having all day long assisted to the ceremonies, and publike banket.
1677. Govt. Venice, 229. Three Senators always assisting in the Prince’s name to all Transactions and Decrees of that Court.
† 5. trans. To be present at, take part in. Obs.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, II. xii. (1632), 292. Wont to sacrifice their owne children … and with cheerfull and pleasant countenance to assist that office.
II. To aid, help.
6. trans. To help, aid: a. a person in doing something; b. a person in necessity; c. an action, process or result. To second, support; to succor, relieve; to further, promote.
1547. J. Heywood, Wit & Folly (1846), 25. To assyst man gods comandments to fulfyll.
1683. Brit. Spec., 77. Displeased with them for having assisted the rebellious Gauls.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 27, ¶ 6. When I assist a friendless Person.
1711. Pope, Rape Lock, V. 56. The sprites survey The growing combat, or assist the fray.
1777. Sir W. Jones, Seven Fount., 52. He read, assisted by a taper’s ray.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. § 24. 169–70. [He] expressed a desire to accompany me himself and assist me in my observations.
Mod. Rest assists digestion. The rumours will not assist his election. ‘Could you assist a poor man with a copper, Sir?’
7. absol. and intr.
1514. Barclay, Cyt. & Uplondyshm., 10. Whan God assysteth, man worketh not for nought!
1606. Shaks., Ant. & Cl., IV. xv. 31. Helpe me, my women … Assist, good Friends.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 9. If Heav’n assist, and Phœbus hear my call.
b. with (to obs.) in or inf.
1649. J. Kent, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., II. 295. III. 340. The ordinary hangman … was commanded to assist to the King’s death.
1704. Nelson, Fest. & Fast., St. James, Collect ii. (1791), 317 (T.). That they might mutually assist to the Support of each other.
a. 1745. Broome, Notes to Odyss. (J.). She agreed to assist in the murder of her husband.
1860. Froude, Hist. Eng., V. xxiv. 33. Barlow … whose indiscretion had already assisted to ruin Cromwell.
