A literary/formal auxiliary verb attached to verbs to express the causative sense (to make or cause someone to do something). Rare and chiefly seen in written or classical styles.
その報せは若者を深く悩ませしめた。
That news caused the young man deep anguish.
長年の習慣が彼を考え方を変えしめなかった。
Years of habit prevented him from changing his way of thinking.
A literary/formal auxiliary indicating permissive meaning (to allow or permit someone to do something). Mainly archaic or literary.
師は弟子に自由に書かしめたが、細部は口を出した。
The teacher permitted the pupil to write freely, though he commented on the details.
領は農民に耕作を続けしめた。
The lord allowed the farmers to continue cultivating (the land).
An honorific-strengthening auxiliary used together with other honorific auxiliaries to heighten respect. Found in formal/archaic styles.
殿はその歌を御覧じしめたまふべしと承った。
It was reported that the lord would deign to look at that poem (honorific, literary).
公は事の次第を御聞きしめられた。
The lord was respectfully informed of the matter (literary honorific).