A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Assist, v. [e.m.E. assyst (1514), assist, F. assister, L. assistere.]
1. intr. To give support or aid to a person; to adhere to as a supporter or partizan.1442 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 6 (to assist to the said Oswald in the raising of the said custome). 1507 Reg. Privy S. I. 220/2 (Donald has assistit to our rebell). 1513 Doug. x. viii. 58 (I thé beseik, Assist to me). 1521 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 206 (sua that the baronis wald assist to thame). 1533 Bell. Livy I. 44/16 (the faderis will assist to ȝow). 1562-3 Winȝet I. 39/21 (that ȝe assiste to thaim thairwith). 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 129 (thai quha assistit to my lord regent). —transf. c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 14/25 (to thire wordis assistis the werteu of God).
b. To assent or agree to an opinion, etc.1531 Bell. Boece I. 199 (mony of al the nobillis assistit to thair opinion). Id. Livy I. 71/1 (to assist to thare opinioun). c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2518 (Fy on yow, Freiris, that dois assist to sic idolatrye). 1562-3 Winȝet I. 70/22 (to quhilk of thair consentis dar ȝe maist bauldlie assist). a1578 Pitsc. I. 15/21 (ane gret part of the nobill men assisted to his opinioun).
c. To stand or take sides with; to agree with.1533 Bell. Livy I. 230/5 (the pepill assistit with the tribune aganis the consull). 1572 Peebles B. Rec. 342 (to assist with the maiestratis for pvnisment of dissobeyaris). 1622-6 Bisset I. 82/29 (Doctoure Henrysonis preface, quhilk concurris and assistis with the proheme … ).
2. tr. To aid or help; to give assistance to.1541 Reg. Privy S. II. 581/2 (that nane tak apoun hand to assist the said Sebastiane). 1560 in Knox II. 43 (God assist you with the spreit of wisdome). 1572 Peebles B. Rec. 338 (to write to my lord provest to cum and assist ws). a1578 Pitsc. I. 54/21 (ane companie quho assistit him for the tyme).
3. intr. To be present.1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 10 (the principal personis of the vniversitie assistand, and exhorting the studentis).
