handfast
Americannoun
noun
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an agreement, esp of marriage, confirmed by a handshake
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a firm grip
verb
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to betroth or marry (two persons or another person) by joining the hands
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
"A Candidatus Theoligiae, your Majesty," answered a handfast threadbare youth one day, when questioned in this manner.—"Where from?"
From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 04 by Thomas Carlyle
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
Heart handfast in heart as they stood, "Look thither," Did he, whisper?
From The Home Book of Verse — Volume 3 by Burton Egbert Stevenson
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 Francis Lynde
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
