Middle English Dictionary Entry

fast(e adv.
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Entry Info

Forms fast(e adv. Also fest(e, vaste, veste, faust. Comp. faster, vastre.
Etymology OE fæste, feste. The meaning of faste is largely contextual. In many passages faste can be read as a modal adverb (i.e. with a specific meaning), as an adverb of degree, or as a mere intensive. MnE usage requires (or permits) the selection of many different adverbs for the various contexts.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
Of a state or position: (a) (stick) fast; (sit) tight or immovably; (stand) firm; (be) firmly (established); cleven faste, adhere; (b) lien faste (a bedde), be confined (to bed) by illness; (c) close (together), solidly, inseparably; (d) near or close to (something); faste bi, nearby; (e) near or close to (a certain time); faste nigh; faste before, shortly before.
Show 35 Quotations
2.
With verbs of grasping, holding, tying, joining, fastening, closing, stopping up, etc.: (a) (grasp) firmly; (clasp) tightly, closely; (b) (tie) tightly, securely; (lace) tight; (curl up) tightly; (c) (hold, keep) firmly, securely; fasthaldand, close-fisted, niggardly; (d) (close, lock a door) tight, securely; (stop an opening) tight; (e) (attach, join) firmly, tightly, securely (to something); (be attached) firmly.
Show 36 Quotations
3.
With verbs of surrounding, enclosing, confining, imprisoning, fettering: (a) (enclose, bury) securely; (surround) closely; (b) (confine or imprison) securely, without hope of escaping; (c) (fetter, shackle) securely.
Show 15 Quotations
4.
With verbs of fortifying, defending, besieging, besetting: (a) (fortify a place) strongly; (b) (defend, resist, struggle) stoutly, vigorously; (c) (surround or besiege) closely, vigorously; (beset) severely; (attack) vigorously; (d) (guard) closely.
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5.
With verbs of begging, praying, forbidding, promising, pledging: (a) (beg) earnestly; (pray) devoutly; (b) (forbid) strictly; (c) (pledge) firmly, in good faith; setten grith faste, make a firm peace; (d) (promise) definitely, faithfully.
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6.
With verbs of wishing, striving, trying, keeping busy: (a) (desire, woo) eagerly; (set one's heart on something) intently; (b) (strive, seek) eagerly; (try) hard; (c) (busy oneself) diligently; (devote oneself) fully.
Show 14 Quotations
7.
With verbs of emotion or attitude: (a) (love) dearly; (b) (wonder) greatly; (c) (fear) greatly; (d) (praise) highly; (speak) well (of someone); (bless) heartily; (e) (reproach, threaten) severely.
Show 9 Quotations
8.
With verbs of looking, listening, paying attention, learning, remembering: (a) (look, listen) intently, hard; (b) (keep in mind) firmly, steadily, well; (remember) well; (c) (learn) well.
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9.
As an intensive, with various verbs: (a) (strike stamp, knock) vigorously, hard; (b) (eat, sing, weep, play, talk, tell lies, argue) steadily, hard, much; (give) freely, much; (prosper) greatly; (c) (sleep) soundly; ben faste on slepe (aslepe), be fast asleep; (d) (burn, rain, thunder, bleed) hard, much.
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10.
With verbs denoting a continuous movement or process: speedily, fast.
Show 19 Quotations
11.
With verbs denoting a momentary action or the beginning or completion of an action: (a) quickly, instantly, immediately; faste anon; (b) (as) faste as, as faste that, as soon as.
Show 21 Quotations

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