The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.]
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.
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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. -
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 upon or To fasten 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. Syn: To fix; cement; stick; link; affix; annex.