ASSYTH, ASSYTHMENT, SYTH, SITHEMENT, _s._ Compensation, satisfaction, atonement for an offence. _Assythment_ is still used as a forensic term. S. O. E. _aseeth_, Wiclif.
This word is still in use in our courts of law, as denoting satisfaction for an injury done to any party.
Su. G. _saett_, reconciliation, or the fine paid in order to procure it.
1. To acquit, to free from a charge or prosecution; a forensic term much used in our courts, S.
2. To absolve from an ecclesiastical censure; as from excommunication.
Old E. _assoil_, _asoilen_, and _asoul_, denote the absolution by a priest; P. Ploughman.
3. To pronounce absolution from sin, in consequence of confession.
4. To absolve from guilt one departed, by saying masses for the soul; according to the faith of the Romish church.
5. Used improperly, in relation to the response of an oracle; apparently in the sense of _resolving_ what is doubtful.
6. Also used improperly, as signifying to unriddle.
O. Fr. _assoilé_, _absoillé_, dechargé, absous, despensé; Gl. Roquefort; corr. from Lat. _absolv-ere_.
1. To offer an excuse for absence from a court of law.
2. Actually to excuse; the excuse offered being sustained.
3. To decline the combat, to shrink from an adversary.
O. E. _asoyned_, excused; R. Glouc. _Essoine_, a legal excuse, Chaucer.
Fr. _essoyner_, _exon-ier_, to excuse from appearing in court, or going to the wars. Su. G. _son-a_, Germ. _sun-en_, to reconcile, to explain; Moes. G. _sunj-an_, to justify.
ASSURANCE, _s._ To take _assurance_ of an enemy; to submit, to do homage, under the condition of protection.
Fr. _donner assurement_, fidem dare; L. B. _assecur-are_, from Lat. _ad_ and _secur-us_.
Teut. _steert-en_, to fly; Germ, _starz-en_, to start up.
ASTEER, _adv._ In confusion, in a bustling state; S. q. _on stir_.
Dan. and Swed. _at_, quod; Su. G. _att_, a conjunction corresponding to Lat. _ut_.
AT ALL, _adv._ "Altogether," Rudd.; perhaps, at best, at any rate.
ATANIS, ATTANIS, ATANYS, ATONIS, _adv._ At once; S. at _ainze_.
ATCHESON, ATCHISON, _s._ A billon coin, or rather copper washed with silver, struck in the reign of James VI., of the value of eight pennies Scots, or two-thirds of an English penny.
From the name of the assay-master of the mint.