assiento Meaning, Definition & Usage

As`si*en"to noun

Etymology

Sp. asiento seat, contract or agreement, fr. asentar to place on a chair, to adjust, to make an agreement; a (L. ad) + sentar, a participial verb; as if there were a L. sedentare to cause to sit, fr. sedens, sedentis, p. pr. of sedre to sit.

Definitions

1. A contract or convention between Spain and other powers for furnishing negro slaves for the Spanish dominions in America, esp. the contract made with Great Britain in 1713.