Obs. [ad. L. aspect-āre freq. of aspic-ĕre: see prec. Cf. respect, suspect.]
1. To look for, expect. [Perhaps from OF. especter = expecter; cf. ASPECT sb. 3.]
1548. Hall, Chron., 409. Frendes, which daily did aspect and tarie for his commyng.
1584. Hudson, Du Bartas’ Judith, IV. 316. Then may we well aspect Great good of her.
2. To look at, behold, face; to survey, watch.
1610. Gwillim, Heraldry, VI. v. (1660), 397. As if they were worn by two persons aspecting, or beholding each other.
1625. Darcie, Hist. Q. Eliz., Ep. Ded. Those which aspect the beames of the Sunne … thinke a long time after they behold still a Sunne before their eyes.
1682. G. D., Season. Caution fr. N. to S., 4. When I look back for to aspect These Days.
a. 1698. Temple, Heroic Virt., Lucan (R.). Those people whom The northern pole aspects.
3. Of a planet: To look upon, or be situated towards, another, in one of the ‘Aspects.’
1586. Lupton, Thous. Notable Things (1675), 32. Jupiter … being evil aspected of an infortunate Planet.
1652. Gaule, Magastrom., 264. Venus in termes, and in the house of Saturne … Mars aspecting.
1671. Salmon, Syn. Med., II. xv. 183. If the Moon upon a Critical day be well aspected of good Planets, it goes well with the Sick.
4. To look on with favor, to countenance. rare.
1663. Flagellum, O. Cromwell (1672), 144. What opinion Cromwel best aspected.
5. intr. To look; to have an aspect or bearing.
1635. Person, Varieties, II. 69. The countrey over which it [the comet] blazeth, or to which it aspecteth.
1651. N. Bacon, Cont. Hist. Disc., iii. 32. The influence of Society … principally aspected upon some pleas belonging to the Crown.
