avast
Americanverb
Etymology
Origin of avast
1675–85; perhaps < Dutch houd vast hold fast ( see 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.
Look, to be honest with you, I am an avast carnivore, but I really adhere to the Southeast Asian model of meat eating.
From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2021
He answered questions so unhesitatingly, in such swift accents, that the shorthand reporters had to ask him to avast and go more slowly.
From Time Magazine Archive
Avast there, avast there, Bildad, avast now spoiling our harpooneer, cried Peleg.
From Moby Dick: or, the White Whale by Melville, Herman
In vain did the old man-o'-war's-man cry out "belay" and "avast."
From The Boy Slaves by Reid, Mayne
In a few minutes the second mate came up, hallooing to us to "avast," and laughing.
From Ned Myers or, a Life Before the Mast by Cooper, James Fenimore
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
