handfast

American  

[hand-fast, -fahst] / ˈhændˌfæst, -ˌfɑst /

noun

1. Archaic. a covenant or contract, especially a betrothal, usually completed by a handclasp.

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handfast British  

/ ˈhændˌfɑːst /

noun

1. an agreement, esp of marriage, confirmed by a handshake

2. a firm grip

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verb

1. to betroth or marry (two persons or another person) by joining the hands

2. to grip with the hand

Etymology

Origin of handfast

1150–1200; Middle English (past participle), earlier handfest < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse handfestr, past participle of handfesta to betroth with a joining of hands, equivalent to hand hand + festa to betroth, literally, make fast, fasten

Example Sentences

Yea, ye are mine, we are handfast wed, One with another.

From Poems and Ballads (Third Series) Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles Swinburne—Vol. III by Swinburne, Algernon Charles

Lindsay, the chronicler, says of Alexander Dunbar, son of the sixth Earl of Moray, and Isobel Innes,—“This Isobel was but handfast with him, and deceased before the marriage.”

From Bygone Church Life in Scotland by Various

Heart handfast in heart as they stood, "Look thither," Did he whisper?

From The Ontario Readers: The High School Reader, 1886 by Ontario. Ministry of Education

My father and yours were handfast friends, Captain Ireton.

From The Master of Appleby A Novel Tale Concerning Itself in Part with the Great Struggle in the Two Carolinas; but Chiefly with the Adventures Therein of Two Gentlemen Who Loved One and the Same Lady by Lynde, Francis

And anon he made them handfast, and wedded them.

From Le Mort d'Arthur: Volume 2 by Malory, Thomas, Sir