Fas"ten (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Fastened (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Fastening (?).] [AS. fæstnian; akin to OHG.
festinōn. 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.
Fas"ten, v. i. To fix one's self;
to take firm hold; to clinch; to cling.
A horse leech will hardly fasten on a
fish.
Sir T. Browne.
