v. Obs. Forms: 12 astíʓan, 3 astyen, astye. Pa. t. 1 astaʓ, 2 astah, asten. [OE. astíʓan, f. A- pref. 1 up, away + stíʓan to go, proceed, ascend; cogn. with Goth. ussteigan, OHG. arstîgan, mod.G. ersteigen.]
1. To go up, ascend.
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., John vii. 8. Ic ne astiʓo [Vulg. ascendo] to doeʓe symbel ðissum.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 91. Crist aras of deaðe and astah to heofene.
c. 1275. Passion our Lord, 624, in O. E. Misc., 55. Er he wolde astyen to heuene.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 2971. By þat was Gyoun vp a-stoȝe; oppoun þe laddre an heȝ.
b. To rise with its summit.
c. 1175. Cott. Hom., 227. Enne stepel swa háhcne þat his rof astiȝe up to hefenne.
c. To rise in arms.
1297. R. Glouc., 317. He was in fere Of Edmondes tueye breþeren laste hii gonne astye.
2. To go or come down, descend.
c. 975. Rushw. Gosp., John ii. 12. Ðona astaʓ [Ags. & Hatton, fóron; Vulg. descendit] he & moder his.
c. 1175. Cott. Hom., 241. Ic am cwuce bread þe astah fram hefene.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 11. Ðe heuene abeh and dun asteh.