v. Obs. Forms: 2–3 agest, 3–6 agast(e, 6 (occas.) aghast. Pa. t. agast(e. Pa. pple. agast, -ed. [f. A- pref. 1 intens. + gast-en, OE. gǽst-an to frighten, alarm; see GAST, and cf. A-GAZED. The only part now in use is the pa. pple. agast, erroneously written AGHAST.]
1. To affright, frighten, terrify.
1205. Layam., 6452. Þat folc hit agaste; tunes hit aweste.
c. 1230. Ancren Riwle, 212. Þe ateliche deouel schal ȝet agesten ham mid his grimme grennunge.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 3410. Þe Saraȝyns þay habbeþ sore agaste.
c. 1385. Chaucer, Leg. G. Wom., 1171. What may it be That me agasteth in myn slep.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, IV. vi. 146. His feirfull ymage doith me agast.
1583. Stanyhurst, Æneis, II. (Arb.), 66. I … was with no weapon agasted.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., I. ix. 21. Or other griesly thing, that him aghast.
2. refl.
c. 1305. E. E. Poems (1862), 62. Cristofre him sore agaste To adrenche, so heuy þat child was.
3. intr. To take fright or alarm.
c. 1300. St. Brand., 22. So that Brendan agaste sore, and him blescede faste.
