handfast

English - English

Definition of handfast in English English dictionary

To pledge; to bind

A contract, agreement, covenant ; specifically betrothal, espousal

Strong; steadfast

To betroth by joining hands, in order to allow cohabitation before the celebration of marriage; to marry provisionally

A hold, grasp; custody, power of confining or keeping

Fast by contract; betrothed by joining hands

{n} hold, custody, confinement, prison

To pledge; to bind; to betroth by joining hands, in order to allow cohabitation, before the celebration of marriage; to marry provisionally

To pledge; to bind; to betroth by joining hands, in order to permit cohabitation, before the celebration of marriage

hold, grasp; custody, power of confining or keeping

Contract; specifically, espousal

contract, agreement, covenant ; specifically betrothal, espousal

Hold; grasp; custody; power of confining or keeping

{s} stingy, miserly

Hyphenation

hand·fast

Etymology

() Middle English hondfast, past participle of hondfesten 'to betroth', from Old Norse handfesta 'to strike a bargain, pledge', itself from hönd 'hand' + festa 'to fasten, fix, affirm' (compare see past- in Indo-European roots).

Tenses

handfasting, handfasted