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

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

From The Home Book of Verse — Volume 3 by Stevenson, Burton Egbert

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

“Noughts and crosses hades horrify handfast holy ostrich.”

From Zero the Slaver A Romance of Equatorial Africa by Fletcher, Lawrence

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

Then they assembled together to Bakhtzaman, and made a covenant and handfast of fealty with him and fell upon the foe and slew him and seated King Bakhtzaman again on the throne of his kingship.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 11 [Supplement] by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir