fast
1. fast \'fast\ aj [ME, fr. OE fst; akin to OHG festi firm, ON fastr,
A]rm hast 1a: firmly fixed 1b: tightly shut 1c: adhering firmly 1d: not
easily freed : STUCK 1e: closely bound to something 1f: STABLE 1g:
UNCHANGEABLE {hard and ~ rules} 2: firmly loyal : STAUNCH obs 3:
COMPACT, DENSE 4a: characterized by quick motion, operation, or effect :
4a1: moving or able to move rapidly : SWIFT 4a2: taking a comparatively
short time 4a3: imparting quickness of motion {a ~ bowler} 4a4:
accomplished quickly 4a5: agile of mind 4b: conducive to rapidity of play
or action {a ~ track} of a timepiece or weighing device 4c1: indicating
in advance of what is correct 4c2: according to daylight saving time 4d:
contributing to a shortening of exposure time {~ lens} 5a: securely
attached 5b: TENACIOUS archaic 6a: sound asleep of sleep 6b: not
easily disturbed 7a: permanently dyed 7b: proof against fading by a
particular agency {sunfast} 8a: DISSIPATED 8b: daringly unconventional
esp. in sexual matters 9: resistant to change and esp. to destructive
action {acid-fast b acteria}MHASTY, EXPEDITIOUS: FAST and RAPID are very
close in meaning, but FAST applies particularly to the thing that moves
{fast horse} RAPID to the movement itself {rapid current} SWIFT suggests
great rapidity coupled with ease of movement; FLEET adds the implication of
lightness and nimbleness; QUICK suggests promptness and the taking of
little time; SPEEDY implies quickness or successful accomplishment; it may
also suggest unusual velocity; HASTY suggests hurry and precipitousness and
often connotes carelessness; EXPEDITIOUS suggests efficiency together with
rapidity of accomplishment SYN syn RAPID, SWIFT, FLEET, QUICK, SPEEDY,
2. fast av 1: in a firm or fixed manner 2: QUICKLY, RAPIDLY 3:
RECKLESSLY, DISSIPATEDLY 4: ahead of a correct time or posted schedule
archaic 5: CLOSE, NEAR
3. fast vi [ME fasten, fr. OE fstan] 1: to abstain from food 2: to
eat sparingly or abstain from some foods
4. fast n 1: the practice of fasting 2: a time of fasting
5. fast n [alter. of ME fest, fr. ON festr rope, mooring cable, fr. fastr)X
firm : something that fastens or holds a fastening : as : a mooring rope
or cable : a mooring post for hawsers