I. ˈfast adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fæst; akin to Old High German festi firm, Old Norse fastr, Armenian hast
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : firmly fixed
roots fast in the ground
b. : tightly shut
the drawers were fast
c. : adhering firmly
d. : not easily freed : stuck
a ball fast in the mouth of the cannon
e. : stable
movable items were made fast to the deck
2. : firmly loyal
became fast friends
3.
a. : characterized by quick motion, operation, or effect:
(1) : moving or able to move rapidly : swift
(2) : taking a comparatively short time
(3) : imparting quickness of motion
a fast bowler
(4) : accomplished quickly
(5) : agile of mind ; especially : quick to learn
a class for fast students
b. : conducive to rapidity of play or action
c.
(1) of a timepiece or weighing device : indicating in advance of what is correct
(2) : according to or being daylight saving time
d. : contributing to a shortening of exposure time
fast film
e. : acquired with unusually little effort and often by shady or dishonest methods
had a keen eye for a fast buck — R. A. Keith
4.
a. : securely attached
a rope fast to the wharf
b. : tenacious
a fast hold on her purse
5.
a. archaic : sound asleep
b. of sleep : not easily disturbed
6. : not fading or changing color readily
7.
a. : wild
a pretty fast crowd
b. : sexually promiscuous
8. : resistant to change (as from destructive action or fading)
fast dyes
— often used in combination
sun fast
acid- fast bacteria
Synonyms:
fast , rapid , swift , fleet , quick , speedy , hasty , expeditious mean moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity. fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves
fast horses
and rapid to the movement itself
rapid current
swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement
returned the ball with one swift stroke
fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness
fleet runners
quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time
a quick wit
speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment
speedy delivery of mail
and may also suggest unusual velocity. hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness
a hasty inspection
expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment
the expeditious handling of an order
II. adverb
Date: before 12th century
1. : in a firm or fixed manner
stuck fast
2. : in a sound manner : deeply
fast asleep
3.
a. : in a rapid manner : quickly
b. : in quick succession
4. : in a reckless or dissipated manner
5. : ahead of a correct time or schedule
6. archaic : close , near
III. intransitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fæstan
Date: before 12th century
1. : to abstain from food
2. : to eat sparingly or abstain from some foods
IV. noun
Date: before 12th century
1. : the practice of fasting
2. : a time of fasting
V. noun
Etymology: alteration of Middle English fest, from Old Norse festr rope, mooring cable, from fastr firm
Date: 15th century
: something that fastens (as a mooring line) or holds a fastening