Main Entry: fas·ten

Pronunciation: \ˈfa-s^ən\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): fas·tened; fas·ten·ing \ˈfas-niŋ, ˈfa-s^ən-iŋ\

Etymology: Middle English fastnen, from Old English fæstnian to make fast; akin to Old High German festinōn to make fast, Old English fæst fast

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 a : to attach especially by pinning, tying, or nailing b : to make fast and secure c : to fix firmly or securely d : to secure against opening
2 : to fix or set steadily <fastened her attention on the main problem>
3 : to take a firm grip with <the dog fastened its teeth in the shoe>
4 a : to attach (oneself) persistently and usually objectionably b : to place forcefully : impose <fastened the blame on the wrong person>intransitive verb 1 : to become fast or fixed
2 a : to take a firm grip or hold b : to focus attention

— fas·ten·er \ˈfas-nər, ˈfa-s^ən-ər\ noun

synonyms fasten, fix, attach, affix mean to make something stay firmly in place. fasten implies an action such as tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing <fasten the reins to a post>. fix usually implies a driving in, implanting, or embedding <fixed the stake in the ground>. attach suggests a connecting or uniting by a bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together <attach the W-2 form here>. affix implies an imposing of one thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing <affix your address label here>.