or ASIDUUS, among the Romans, denoted a rich or wealthy person. The word in this sense is derived from ad assis, q.d. a movied man. Hence we meet with assiduous furtutes, assidui fidejussor; answering to what the French now call city fortunes or securities, avatons bourgeoises.

When Servius Tullius divided the Roman people into five classes, according as they were assessed or taxed to the public, the richer sort who contributed asses were denominated assidui; and as these were the chief people of business who attended all the public concerns, those who were diligent in attendances came to be denominated assidui.

ASIENTO, a Spanish word signifying a farm, in commerce, is used for a bargain between the king of Spain Spain and other powers, for importing negroes into the Spanish dominions in America, and particularly to Buenos Ayres. The first assiento was made with the French Guinea-company; and, by the treaty of Utrecht, transferred to the English, who were to furnish 4800 negroes annually.