v.
Pronunciation: ' fa-s ə n
Function: verb
Inflected Form: fas · tened ; fas · ten · ing \ ' fas-ni ŋ , ' fa-s ə n-i ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English fastnen, from Old English fæstnian to make fast; akin to Old High German festin ō n to make fast, Old English fæst fast
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to attach especially by pinning, tying, or nailing b : to make fast and secure c : to fix firmly or securely d : to secure against opening
2 : to fix or set steadily < fasten ed her attention on the main problem>
3 : to take a firm grip with <the dog fasten ed its teeth in the shoe>
4 a : to attach (oneself) persistently and usually objectionably b : to place forcefully : IMPOSE < fasten ed the blame on the wrong person>
intransitive verb
1 : to become fast or fixed
2 a : to take a firm grip or hold b : to focus attention
– fas · ten · er \ ' fas-n ə r, ' fa-s ə n- ə r \ noun
synonyms FASTEN , FIX , ATTACH , AFFIX mean to make something stay firmly in place. FASTEN implies an action such as tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing < fasten the reins to a post>. FIX usually implies a driving in, implanting, or embedding < fixed the stake in the ground>. ATTACH suggests a connecting or uniting by a bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together < attach the W-2 form here>. AFFIX implies an imposing of one thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing < affix your address label here>.