The Collaborative International Dictionary
Fast \Fast\, n. [OE. faste, fast; cf. AS. f[ae]sten, OHG. fasta, G. faste. See Fast, v. i.]
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Abstinence from food; omission to take nourishment.
Surfeit is the father of much fast.
--Shak. Voluntary abstinence from food, for a space of time, as a spiritual discipline, or as a token of religious humiliation.
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A time of fasting, whether a day, week, or longer time; a period of abstinence from food or certain kinds of food; as, an annual fast.
Fast day, a day appointed for fasting, humiliation, and religious offices as a means of invoking the favor of God.
To break one's fast, to put an end to a period of abstinence by taking food; especially, to take one's morning meal; to breakfast.
--Shak.