Middle English Dictionary Entry
fastnes(se n.
Entry Info
| Forms | fastnes(se n. Also fest-, vest-. |
| Etymology | OE fæstnes. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Stability, immobility; (b) firmness, hardness, solidity; (c) secure attachment; (d) stability of character or constancy of allegiance; (e) obduracy, obstinacy; (f) that which gives firmness or strength; (g) of sleep: soundness; (h) healing (of a wound); (i) confirmation, assurance.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1200(?OE) PDidax.(Hrl 6258b)41/18 : Seo fastnysse þæs yfeles.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)104 : He [God] one is zetnesse an uestnesse.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)29a/a : Sotilnesse þat comeþ in be wiþdrawinge of fastnes and þicnesse of þe parties.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)210b/b : A tre haþ..fastnesse of þe erþe..and fastnes of parties togidres.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)314b/b : Salt hardeþ in fuyre..þe fastnesse and hardnesse is y made by druyenesse.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)119b/a : In a place in which..he fyndeþ fastenez & akyng.
c
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)107 : Þe name of oure uader by zuo yuestned ine ous..þet no þing þet moȝe beualle ne moȝe ous ondo of þe ilke uestnesse.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)49/11 : If þat ilke pece haue no fastnes to þe hool boon.
- a1425 *Trev.Barth.(Mrg M 875)48a/a : For þe fastnesse of þe neþer teeþ.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)104a/a : Where it nedeþ more fastnez, be it sewed agayne.
d
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)123 : Fastnes: firmitas, securitas, constancia, stabilitas.
- a1500 Wars Alex.(Dub 213)3259 : On þis maner made he man..Suld not be funde in hym [man] fastnes, ne ferme be, ne stabyll.
e
- (1460) Paston (Gairdner)3.215 : Thei speke litil therof to you, rettyng in you singuler fastnesse ageyns kyndenesse and reson.
f
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ps.24.14 : Fastnesse is the Lord to men dredende hym.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)17.1 : Lauerd, mi festnes ai in nede.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)24.15 : Festnes es lauerd him dredand to.
g
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)77a/b : Kynde slepe is aȝeinturnynge of þe spirites from [L cum] depnes & fastnesse [L profundatione].
h
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)72.4 : For noght es bihalte to dede of þa, And festenes in þare woundes ma.
i
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Gen.41.32 : A sweuen perteynyng to the same thing, shewyng is of fastnesse [L firmitatis] therthurȝ that the worde of God be doon.