v. Obs. [f. WITH- + SIT v.]
1. trans. To oppose, resist, withstand. Also, to prevent; to ward off.
c. 1300. Havelok, 1683. Hauelok ne durste … Nouth withsitten þat ubbe bad.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 8138. Ȝyf ȝe ne conne nought do hym wyte What þe fallyng may wyþ-syt.
c. 1330. Arth. & Merl., 9055. King Rion wiþsat þat dent.
1387–8. T. Usk, Test. Love, III. viii. (Skeat), l. 87. This rightfulnesse … helpeth the spirit to withsitte the leude lustes of flesshly lykinge.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XIX. 251. Ich with-sat nat hus heste.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. 3003. To with-sitte þe force of sorcerye.
c. 1425. Seven Sag. (P.), 518. None durste wyth-sytte hys heste, Nouthir the lest no the moste.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, II. liii. (1869), 96. He shulde not mown with sitte thee ne ayens stonde thee.
2. intr. To fail. rare.
c. 1330. Arth. & Merl., 8457. Hir eiȝen turned, hir voice wiþsat.
Hence † Withsitting vbl. sb., opposition.
1387–8. T. Usk, Test. Love, II. vii. (Skeat), l. 142. The fleshly body of a man, over whiche have oftentyme flyes,… mokel might in grevaunce … withouten any withsittinge.
