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(), v. i.[imp. & p. p.Fasted; p. pr. & vb. n.Fasting.] [AS. fstan; akin to D. vasten, OHG. fastn, G. fasten, Icel. & Sw. fasta, Dan. faste, Goth. fastan to keep, observe, fast, and prob. to E. fast firm.] 1. To abstain from food; to omit to take nourishment in whole or in part; to go hungry. Fasting he went to sleep, and fasting waked. Milton. 2. To practice abstinence as a religious exercise or duty; to abstain from food voluntarily for a time, for the mortification of the body or appetites, or as a token of grief, or humiliation and penitence. Thou didst fast and weep for the child. 2 Sam. xii. 21. Fasting day, a fast day; a day of fasting. Fast n.[OE. faste, fast; cf. AS. fsten, OHG. fasta, G. faste. See Fast, v. i.] 1. Abstinence from food; omission to take nourishment. Surfeit is the father of much fast. Shak. 2. Voluntary abstinence from food, for a space of time, as a spiritual discipline, or as a token of religious humiliation. 3. A time of fasting, whether a day, week, or longer time; a period of abstinence from food or certain kinds of food; as, an annual fast. Fast day, a day appointed for fasting, humiliation, and religious offices as a means of invoking the favor of God. To break one's fast, to put an end to a period of abstinence by taking food; especially, to take one's morning meal; to breakfast. Shak. Fast a.[Compar.Faster (); superl.Fastest ().] [OE., firm, strong, not loose, AS. fst; akin to OS. fast, D. vast, OHG. fasti, festi, G. fest, Icel. fastr, Sw. & Dan. fast, and perh. to E. fetter. The sense swift comes from the idea of keeping close to what is pursued; a Scandinavian use. Cf. Fast, adv., Fast, v., Avast.] 1. Firmly fixed; closely adhering; made firm; not loose, unstable, or easily moved; immovable; as, to make fast the door. There is an order that keeps things fast. Burke. 2. Firm against attack; fortified by nature or art; impregnable; strong. Outlaws . . . lurking in woods and fast places. Spenser. 3. Firm in adherence; steadfast; not easily separated or alienated; faithful; as, a fast friend. 4. Permanent; not liable to fade by exposure to air or by washing; durable; lasting; as, fast colors. 5. Tenacious; retentive. [Obs.] Roses, damask and red, are fast flowers of their smells. Bacon. 6. Not easily disturbed or broken; deep; sound. All this whi Fast (), adv.[OE. faste firmly, strongly, quickly, AS. fste. See Fast, a.] 1. In a fast, fixed, or firmly established manner; fixedly; firmly; immovably. We will bind thee fast. Judg. xv. 13. 2. In a fast or rapid manner; quickly; swiftly; extravagantly; wildly; as, to run fast; to live fast. Fast by, or Fast beside, close or near to; near at hand. He, after Eve seduced, unminded slunk Into the wood fast by. Milton. Fast by the throne obsequious Fame resides. Pope. Fast n.That which fastens or holds; especially, (Naut.) a mooring rope, hawser, or chain; -- called, according to its position, a bow, head, quarter, breast, or stern fast; also, a post on a pier around which hawsers are passed in mooring. Fast a.In such a condition, as to resilience, etc., as to make possible unusual rapidity of play or action; as, a fast racket, or tennis court; a fast track; a fast billiard table, etc. スポンサード リンク
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