I. ˈfas ə n, -aas-, -ais-, -ȧs- verb
( fastened ; fastened ; fastening -s( ə )niŋ ; fastens )
Etymology: Middle English fastnen, from Old English fæstnian to make fast; akin to Old High German festinōn to make fast, Old Norse fastna to pledge; derivative from the root of English fast (I)
transitive verb
1. obsolete
a. : to make firm or strong : ratify , confirm
b. : to make stable or unwavering : place solidly : establish
c. : to make fast (as a color)
we fasten the dyes into the cloth first — H.I.Poleman
2.
a. : to cause to hold to something else : attach especially by pinning, tying, or nailing
b. : to cause (parts which are separate) to hold together : make fast and secure
fasten the ends of the rope
fasten my hair
fasten her dress
c. : to fix firmly or securely in position
fasten the flagpole so that it does not waver
: secure against opening
fasten a door shut
fasten a window
also : fix firmly by implanting (as in the memory)
fastened firmly in my mind the main facts and principles — A.D.White
d. : to secure within limits (as within a fenced area) by fastening or enclosing — usually used with in or up
fasten up the dog in the yard
fasten in the prisoners at nightfall
e. : to pin, nail, tie, or otherwise make immovable — usually used with down
fasten down a flapping shutter
fasten down the lifeboats on deck
3.
a. : to focus or direct (as the attention) intently or steadily
fasten his attention upon a fire in the distance
: place (as one's hopes) strongly
fastened his hopes on a quick recovery
b. : to focus or direct the attention or interest markedly upon
fastened him with her clear blue eyes — Hamilton Basso
4. obsolete : to deliver (as a blow) forcefully ; also : to imprint or implant (as a kiss) on the cheek
5. : to take a firm grip with
the dog fastened his teeth in the man's leg
6.
a. : to attach, affix, or associate (oneself) persistently and usually objectionably or with or as if with intent to annoy or exploit or with the result of limiting the freedom of another
fastened himself upon anyone who would listen to his sad story
the con man fastens himself on any likely looking sucker
b. : to place forcefully : bring about the imposition of : impose
too often fastened the blame on the wrong man
fastened on the community a merciless totalitarian system — J.E.Neole
sought to fasten upon him the stigma of atheism — V.L.Parrington
c. : give , affix
to which … later the name of “Llewellen” was fastened by American breeders — W.F.Brown b.1903
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to become fast or fixed
where the phrase has fastened, let it stick — Robert Browning
b. : to become firmly attached to a whale by means of a well placed harpoon — used of one harpooning or the boat from which the harpoon is launched
c. : to close and lock (as with catches)
the lock of the bag was so damaged it would not fasten
2.
a. : take a firm grip or hold
the stranger fastened on my arm
the flames fastened upon the roof
b. : to focus or markedly fix attention
his blue eyes fastened sharply and eagerly upon the general — Kenneth Roberts
the interest of the prosecution fastened on one small inconsistency in the story
they fastened exclusively and resentfully on everything I said about power and progress — Norman Smith
Synonyms:
fix , attach , affix : these four verbs signify in common to make to stay firmly in place. fasten commonly implies tying, binding, nailing, or some such process, or using a lock, catch, hook and eye, or other device, to keep a thing from moving, or it may apply to any action that suggests the use of one of these processes or devices
fasten a sign to a post with a nail
fasten a door by throwing a lock
we will put aside the theology and fasten attention on the politics and the economics of the struggle — V.L.Parrington
fix is often interchangeable with fasten
had to fix my collar onto my shirt with a paper clip — J.B.S.Haldane
It usually implies an attempt to keep something from falling down or losing its place and generally suggests a driving in or implanting
fix a post in the ground
he glanced about the washroom for what hooks might be fixed in the walls — Kay Boyle
In figurative use fix may sometimes be distinguished from fasten in suggesting a forthright, normal, or reasonable attitude as opposed to a devious, underhanded, or predatory one
fix their affection upon a good person
fasten your affection upon a mere child
did not fix the blame on the right person
fasten the blame upon an innocent man
attach suggests strongly a connection or union, a bond or link to prevent motion or keep one thing with another
attach a cover by means of a brass hinge
attach a card to the package
guinea fowl attach themselves firmly to the place where they were born — F.D.Smith & Barbara Wilcox
affix is sometimes interchangeable with fasten or attach
affix a card to the package
but usually implies attachment by the imposition of one thing upon another, especially with glue or mucilage
affix a stamp to a letter
affix a seal and signature to a document
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, fast, from Old English fæsten, from fæstan to fast — more at fast V
1. obsolete : a fast day
2. obsolete : the act of fasting