fastness

American  

[fast-nis, fahst-] / ˈfæst nɪs, ˈfɑst- /

noun

1. a secure or fortified place; stronghold.

   a mountain fastness.

2. the state of being fixed or firm.

   the fastness of democratic institutions.

3. the state of being rapid.

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fastness British  

/ ˈfɑːstnɪs /

noun

1. a stronghold; fortress

2. the state or quality of being firm or secure

3. the ability of a dye to remain permanent and not run or fade

4. archaic  swiftness

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Etymology

Origin of fastness

before 900; Middle English; Old English fæstnes. See fast ¹, -ness

Example Sentences

At night, it retreats to its separate fastnesses.

From Los Angeles Times

Ferrell is exactly right as Buddy, who as an infant at an orphanage found his way into Santa’s bag and became the first human to penetrate into the fastness of his North Pole workshop.

From Los Angeles Times

MycoWorks says that its material meets the performance standards of cowhide in durability, color fastness and tensile strength.

From Scientific American

With each description from the world’s best players about the beastliness of Augusta National on Thursday — its firmness, its fastness, its fickle wind — Justin Rose’s round gained more shine as it went along.

From Washington Post

He’s put in harness and becomes the member of a dogsled team hauling mail to prospectors drawn to the frigid fastness of the Yukon in the hunt for the yellow stuff.

From Seattle Times