▪ I. † aˈgast, aˈghast, v. Obs.
Forms: 2–3 agest, 3–6 agast(e, 6 (occas.) aghast. pa. tense agast(e. pa. pple. agast, -ed.
[f. a- prefix 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{revsc} 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 L.G.W. 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.P. (1862) 62 Cristofre him sore agaste To adrenche, so heuy þat child was. |
3. intr. To take fright or alarm.
| 1300 St. Brand. 22 So that Brendan agaste sore, and him blescede faste. |
▪ II. agast, a.
See aghast.