advb. phr. Obs. Chiefly north. Forms: 4 als tit(e, als tyte, als tyd, 4–5 alstite; 4 as tit, 4–5 as tyt, as tyte, as tyd, 5 astyht, 5–7 astite. The two words as tite were commonly written as one from 15th to 17th c. (cf. ASFAST, ASSOON.) Beside the obvious import (see AS, A 3, 5, and TITE), it had the sense: As quick as might be, immediately [Fr. aussitôt).

1

[1325–1420.  See other instances under ALSTITE.]

2

c. 1320.  R. Brunne, Medit., 436. Þow shalt haue of vs þe deþ astyte.

3

c. 1330.  Amis & Amil., 1046. And lepe astite opon a stede.

4

c. 1435.  Torr. Portugal, 641. A! theff! yeld the astyt.

5

c. 1450.  Lonelich, Grail, xxii. 12. Al this schal I the tellen astyht.

6

1674.  Ray, N. Countr. Wds., 2. Astite, Anon, shortly, or as soon.

7