fastening

[fas-uh-ning, fah-suh-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fastening ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

something that fastens, as a lock or clasp.

Origin of fastening

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at fasten, -ing¹

fasten

[fas-uhn, fah-suhn]

verb (used with object)

to attach firmly or securely in place; fix securely to something else.

to make secure, as an article of dress with buttons, clasps, etc., or a door with a lock, bolt, etc.

to enclose securely, as a person or an animal (usually followed by in): to fasten a monkey in a cage.

to attach, associate, or connect: to fasten a nickname on someone.

to direct (the eyes, thoughts, etc.) intently: to fasten one's eyes on a speaker.

verb (used without object)

to become fast, fixed, or firm.

to close firmly or securely; lock: This clasp won't fasten.

to take a firm hold; seize (usually followed by on or upon): to fasten on an idea.

to focus attention; concentrate (usually followed by on or upon): His gaze fastened on the jewels.

Origin of fasten

before 900; Middle English fastenen, Old English fæstnian; cognate with Old Norse fastna to betroth; akin to fast¹

Related formsre·fas·ten, verb (used with object)well-fas·tened, adjective

Synonyms for fasten

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fasten ON THESAURUS.COM

1. connect, link, hook, clasp, clinch, rivet, clamp, bind, tie, tether.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for fastening

lock, fastener, clasp, hook

Examples from the Web for fastening

Contemporary Examples of fastening

He starts by tying a cable onto the rear axle of the car, fastening the other end to a post.
April Fool’s! Hollywood’s Biggest Pranks
Anna Klassen
April 1, 2012

Historical Examples of fastening

It was pushed to, but not locked, and had no fastening upon it except the lock, in which was the key.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
The manner of fastening the ribs to the frame pieces is optional.
Flying Machines
W.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell
Evidently the fastening was serving him better than he had dared hope.
The Black Bag
Louis Joseph Vance
He was giving up hope for Hermione and fastening hope on Vere.
A Spirit in Prison
Robert Hichens
Two small screw-eyes are placed in the boat, for fastening it to the davits.
Boys' Book of Model Boats
Raymond Francis Yates

British Dictionary definitions for fastening

fastening

noun

something that fastens, such as a clasp or lock

fasten

verb

to make or become fast or secure

to make or become attached or joined

to close or become closed by fixing firmly in place, locking, etc

(tr; foll by in or up) to enclose or imprison

(tr usually foll by on) to cause (blame, a nickname, etc) to be attached (to); place (on) or impute (to)

(usually foll by on or upon) to direct or be directed in a concentrated way; fixhe fastened his gaze on the girl

(intr usually foll by on) take firm hold (of)

Derived Formsfastener, noun

Word Origin for fasten

Old English fæstnian; related to Old Norse fastna to pledge, Old High German fastinōn to make fast; see fast 1

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

Word Origin and History for fastening

fasten

Old English fæstnian "make fast, firm," also "ratify, betroth," from Proto-Germanic *fastinojanan (cf. Old Frisian festnia "to make firm, bind fast," Old Saxon fastnon, Old High German fastnion, Old Norse fastna "to pledge, betroth"), from *fastuz (see fast (adj.)). Related: Fastened; fastener; fastening.