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.
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.
The words Whig and Tory have been pressed to the
service of many successions of parties, with very
different ideas fastened to them. --Swift.
3. To cause to take close effect; to make to tell; to lay on;
as, to fasten a blow. [Obs.]
--Dryden.
If I can fasten but one cup upon him. --Shak.
To fasten a charge, or 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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