a. and sb. Forms: 5–6 assystent, 5–7 assistent, 6– -ant. [a. F. assistant, pr. pple. of assister (formerly also, as sb., assistent), ad. L. assistent-em, pr. pple. of assistĕre to ASSIST. See -ANT, -ENT. The current spelling follows the Fr. and not L. analogy.]
A. adj.
† 1. Standing or remaining by, present, accompanying. Obs.
1485. Caxton, St. Wenefr., 12. She rested not … to preche and enfourme them that were assistent with holy and blessid exhortacions.
1550. Cranmer, Sacrament, I. 45. Christ hath promised in both sacraments to be assistent with us.
1625. Hart, Anat. Ur., I. ii. 21. These accidents are called assistant or accompanying.
1677. Govt. Venice, 42. They see the Senat assistant at the killing of a Bull on Holy-Thursday.
2. Present to help; aiding, helpful, auxiliary (to).
a. 1400. Cov. Myst., 240. But angelys were to hym assystent.
c. 1465. Eng. Chron. (1856), 31. Stirid the peple to be assistent to the … amendement of the myschiefs.
1570. Holinshed, Scot. Chron. (1806), II. 316. Which by turns should be assistant to the queen.
1720. Gibson, Farrier’s Guide, I. v. (1738), 56. The third pair are … very assistant in the Office of Chewing.
1858. Gen. P. Thompson, Audi Alt., I. xvii. 56. Animals assistant to man.
3. In comb. (either as adj., or as sb. in apposition.)
1710. Lond. Gaz., No. 4735/3. The Office of Assistant-Master of the Ceremonies.
1844. Reg. & Ord. Army, 289. The Assistant-Surgeon’s Tent is to be pitched in its vicinity.
B. sb.
† 1. One who is present, a bystander; one who takes part in an assembly. Usually in pl. Obs.
1483. Caxton, Cato, A iv b. Thus shalt thou be honoured of thassistentis in thy companye.
1590. Greene, Arcadia (1616), 70. The assistants greeued to see [it].
1638. Chillingw., Relig. Prot., I. vi. § 41. 363. Having your Service in such a language as the Assistants generally understand not.
1768. Sterne, Sent. Journ. (1775), IV. 219. It is not at all astonishing that every convivial assistant should go home cherry-merry.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., II. 11. The growing circumference was observed with astonishment by the assistants.
2. One who gives help to a person, or aids in the execution of a purpose; a helper, an auxiliary; a promoter; also, a means of help, an aid.
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. Chirurg. What condycions ought the assystentes … of the pacyent haue?
a. 1631. Donne, Six Serm., i. (1634), 11. Those great assistants of the Reformation, Luther and Calvin.
1774. Mrs. Chapone, Improv. Mind, II. 167. Make use of numbers and rhymes merely as assistants to memory.
1851. H. Spencer, Soc. Statics, v. § 5. Unpractised assistants at surgical operations often faint.
3. spec. a. A deputy-judge. b. An official auxiliary to the Father-General of the Jesuits. † c. Obsolete name of the ‘superintendent’ among Wesleyan Methodists. d. Court of Assistants: certain senior members who manage the affairs of the City of London Companies.
1611. Cotgr., Assessoriat, th’ office … of a Judge Laterall, Assistant, or Assesseur.
1622. Fletcher, Sp. Curate, III. i. The Assistant sits to-morrow.
1679. T. Oates, Myst. Iniq. Jesuits, 7. And there is Choice made of some other Fathers, who … are called his Assistants … One is stiled the Assistant of France, a second of Spain.
1685. in Antiquary, Oct. (1881), 149/2. Mr. Maior and 4 or 5 of ye Aldermen, with as many of ye assistants as please.
a. 1791. Wesley, Wks. (1872), VIII. 319. The Assistant [is] that Preacher in each Circuit who is appointed … to take charge of the societies and the other Preachers therein.
1829. Heath, Grocer’s Comp., 27. The Courts of Assistants … were compelled to hold their meetings … at various places.
