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 verb1 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 opening2: 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 verb1: to become fast or fixed2 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>.