Meaning

To take a stand; to set, place, cause to stand, "from PIE \*si-st-, reduplicated form of root \*sta- "to stand, make or be firm." Related: Assisted; assisting. Medical assisted suicide attested from 1884. assist (n.) 1570s, "an act of assistance," from assist.

late Middle English: from Old French assister, from Latin assistere 'take one's stand by', from ad- 'to, at' + sistere 'take one's stand'.
