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avast

American  
[uh-vast, uh-vahst] / əˈvæst, əˈvɑst /

verb

Nautical.
  1. (used as a command to stop or cease).

    Avast heaving!


avast British  
/ əˈvɑːst /
  1. nautical stop! cease!

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of avast

1675–85; perhaps < Dutch houd vast hold fast ( hold 1, fast 1 )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Avast, ye hearties! Who’s there? Have we been boarded?”

From Literature

“Avast, ye hearties! The ship has been stormed by blackguards! Renegades! Cutthroats! Bilge rats who’re yappin’ and barkin’ like scurvy dogs!

From Literature

Indeed, Atencio’s words — some of those quoted in the book, such as “Avast there! Ye come seeking adventure and salty old pirates, aye?” — have become shorthand for how to speak like a pirate.

From Los Angeles Times

I have received 15 of these notices from Avast since July 28.

From Seattle Times

Q: In the past week or so, I have been receiving “threats blocked” from my Avast protection that say: We’ve safely aborted connection on ap.lijit.com because it was infected with URL: Botnet.

From Seattle Times