The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Fastening \Fas"ten*ing\, n.
   Anything that binds and makes fast, as a lock, catch, bolt,
   bar, buckle, etc.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Fasten \Fas"ten\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fastened; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Fastening.] [AS. f[ae]stnian; akin to OHG. festin[=o]n.
   See Fast, a.]
   1. To fix firmly; to make fast; to secure, as by a knot,
      lock, bolt, etc.; as, to fasten a chain to the feet; to
      fasten a door or window.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To cause to hold together or to something else; to attach
      or unite firmly; to cause to cleave to something, or to
      cleave together, by any means; as, to fasten boards
      together with nails or cords; to fasten anything in our
      thoughts.
      [1913 Webster]

            The words Whig and Tory have been pressed to the
            service of many successions of parties, with very
            different ideas fastened to them.     --Swift.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To cause to take close effect; to make to tell; to lay on;
      as, to fasten a blow. [Obs.] --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

            If I can fasten but one cup upon him. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   To fasten a charge upon or To fasten a crime upon, to
      make his guilt certain, or so probable as to be generally
      believed.

   To fasten one's eyes upon, to look upon steadily without
      cessation. --Acts iii. 4.

   Syn: To fix; cement; stick; link; affix; annex.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

fastening
    n 1: restraint that attaches to something or holds something in
         place [syn: fastener, fastening, holdfast, fixing]
    2: the act of fastening things together [syn: fastening,
       attachment]