Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
adj
Fast by contract; betrothed by joining hands.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Strong; steadfast.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: rare
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A hold, grasp; custody, power of confining or keeping.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A contract, agreement, covenant; specifically betrothal, espousal.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To pledge; to bind.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To betroth by joining hands, in order to allow for cohabitation before the celebration of marriage; to marry provisionally.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Scotland, transitive
Qualifier: archaic or historical except Wicca
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
From Middle English hondfast, past participle of Middle English hondfesten (“to betroth”), from Old Norse handfesta (“to strike a bargain, pledge”), itself from hönd (“hand”) + festa (“to fasten, fix, affirm”), perhaps from a Proto-Indo-European root *pHst-.
Calque of German handfest, itself from Hand (“hand”) + fest (“firm, strong”).
Across languages
7 source translations are retained for this English entry.
