fast

I

[[t]fæst, fɑst[/t]]

adj. and adv. -er, -est, n.

1) moving or able to move, operate, function, or take effect quickly; quick; swift; rapid:

a fast horse; a fast typist[/ex]

2) done in or taking comparatively little time:

a fast race; fast work[/ex]

3) adapted to, allowing, productive of, or imparting rapid movement:

a hull with fast lines[/ex]

4) able to understand or respond quickly:

a fast mind[/ex]

5) hor

a) (of a timepiece) indicating a time in advance of the correct time

b) noting or according to daylight-saving time

6) characterized by unrestrained or immoral conduct, esp. in sexual relations; wanton; loose:

a fast crowd[/ex]

7) characterized by extreme energy and activity, esp. in the pursuit of pleasure:

leading a fast life[/ex]

8) resistant (often used in combination):

acid-fast[/ex]

9) firmly fixed in place; not easily moved; secure

10) held or caught firmly:

an animal fast in a trap[/ex]

11) firmly tied, as a knot

12) closed and made secure, as a door, gate, or shutter

13) such as to have securely:

to lay fast hold on a thing[/ex]

14) firm in adherence; loyal; devoted:

fast friends[/ex]

15) permanent, lasting, or unchangeable:

a fast color[/ex]

16) cvb inf

a) (of money, profits, etc.) made quickly or easily and sometimes deviously

b) cleverly quick and manipulative in making money:

a fast operator[/ex]

17) pht

a) (of a lens) able to transmit a relatively large amount of light in a relatively short time

b) (of a film) requiring a relatively short exposure to attain a given density

18) spo Horse Racing.

a) (of a track condition) completely dry

b) (of a track surface) very hard

19) quickly, swiftly, or rapidly

20) in quick succession

21) tightly; firmly:

to hold fast[/ex]

22) soundly:

fast asleep[/ex]

23) in a wild or dissipated way; recklessly

24) ahead of the correct or announced time

25) archaic close; near:

fast by[/ex]

26) a fastening for a door, window, or the like

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- pull a fast one

Etymology: bef. 900; ME; OE fæst firm syn: See quick II

fast

[[t]fæst, fɑst[/t]] v. i.

1) to abstain from all food

2) to eat only sparingly or of certain kinds of food, esp. as a religious observance

3) cvb to cause to abstain from food; put on a fast:

to fast a patient before surgery[/ex]

4) an abstinence from food, or a limiting of one's food, esp. when voluntary and as a religious observance

5) a day or period of fasting

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Etymology: bef. 1000; ME; OE fæstan; c. OFris festia, OHG fastēn, ON fasta, Go fastan; akin to fast I III

fast

[[t]fæst, fɑst[/t]] n.

naut. navig. a chain or rope for mooring a vessel

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Etymology: 1670–80; alter., by assoc. with fast I, of late ME fest, perh. n. use of fest, ptp. of festen to fasten, or < ON festr mooring rope