/fast"nis, fahst"-/ , n.
1. a secure or fortified place; stronghold: a mountain fastness.
2. the state of being fixed or firm: the fastness of democratic institutions.
3. the state of being rapid.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE faestnes. See FAST 1 , -NESS ]
/fast"nis, fahst"-/ , n.
1. a secure or fortified place; stronghold: a mountain fastness.
2. the state of being fixed or firm: the fastness of democratic institutions.
3. the state of being rapid.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE faestnes. See FAST 1 , -NESS ]
Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary. Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House . 2012