[syn: tighten, fasten]
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.
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3. To cause to take close effect; to make to tell; to lay on;
as, to fasten a blow. [Obs.] --Dryden.
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If I can fasten but one cup upon him. --Shak.
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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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Fasten \Fas"ten\, v. i.
To fix one's self; to take firm hold; to clinch; to cling.
[1913 Webster]
A horse leech will hardly fasten on a fish. --Sir T.
Browne.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
fasten
v 1: cause to be firmly attached; "fasten the lock onto the
door"; "she fixed her gaze on the man" [syn: fasten,
fix, secure] [ant: unfasten]
2: become fixed or fastened; "This dress fastens in the back"
[ant: unfasten]
3: attach to; "They fastened various nicknames to each other"
4: make tight or tighter; "Tighten the wire" [syn: tighten,
fasten]