FASTEN • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Fasten

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/fˈæsən/ Listen

verb

Fasten v. t. (past & past part. fastened; pres. part. fastening)

To fix firmly; to make fast; to secure, as by a knot, lock, bolt, etc.; as, to fasten a chain to the feet; to fasten a door or window.

To cause to hold together or to something else; to attach or unite firmly; to cause to cleave to something, or to cleave together, by any means; as, to fasten boards together with nails or cords; to fasten anything in our thoughts. "The words Whig and Tory have been pressed to the service of many successions of parties, with very different ideas fastened to them."

To cause to take close effect; to make to tell; to lay on; as, to fasten a blow. (Obs.) "If I can fasten but one cup upon him."

To fasten a charge upon or To fasten a crime upon, to make his guilt certain, or so probable as to be generally believed.

To fasten one's eyes upon, to look upon steadily without cessation.

Synonyms: To fix; cement; stick; link; affix; annex.

Fasten v. i. To fix one's self; to take firm hold; to clinch; to cling. "A horse leech will hardly fasten on a fish."

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Etymology of 'Fasten'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Fasten" Quotes from Famous Books

... limping, extravagant, energetic Hugh with his whitening hair and eyebrows and flaring hazel eyes—with his crooked nose and mouth, his magnificently desperate manner and his magnificently desperate voice—attention would inevitably fasten upon him anywhere; how much more in an empty land such as this! Pete fancied the inquiring looks turned from the man to the man's posted picture. It was no longer a faithful likeness, of course; still, it was a likeness. ...

— Snow-Blind • Katharine Newlin Burt

... Now, now, let me rise. I feel myself prepared. Ah! the boots fall off. I shall ascend. The boots fall off. What are there none to raise me? See, they grin. Am I not come unto the resurrection of the life? What! that horrid lid again. O, no, no. They stifle me again. They fasten me to sleep—to sleep—to sleep. THIS, THIS ...

— The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Vol. 19, Issue 544, April 28, 1832 • Various

... my fears, and gave me leave to go to write in my closet, as soon as my fright was over, and to stay there till things were more calm. And so he dressed himself, and went out of the chamber, permitting me, at my desire, to fasten the door ...

— Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded • Samuel Richardson

... quite uncertain whether the event occurred here or not, story-tellers being very apt to fix upon any spot near at hand on which to fasten their marvellous narratives, and to give them a stronger hold ...

— Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 1 (of 2) • John Roby

... brownlocked Diana (were that possible) attacked by her own dogs, or she-dogs! The Demoiselle, keeping her carriage, is for Liberty indeed, as she has full well shewn; but then for Liberty with Respectability: whereupon these serpent-haired Extreme She-Patriots now do fasten on her, tatter her, shamefully fustigate her, in their shameful way; almost fling her into the Garden-ponds, had not help intervened. Help, alas, to small purpose. The poor Demoiselle's head and nervous-system, none of the soundest, is so tattered ...

— The French Revolution • Thomas Carlyle

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