fastness
UK /ˈfɑːs(t)nəs/ · US /ˈfæs(t)nəs/ noun
Forms fastnesses
- noun The quality or state of being strongly attached; firmness, secureness, tenacity.
- noun (specifically) The ability of a dye to withstand fading.
- noun The quality or state of moving quickly; quickness, rapidity, swiftness.
- noun The quality or state of having an extravagant lifestyle or immoral habits.
- noun (archaic) Of a fortress or other place: the quality or state of being secure from access or attack; safety, security.
- noun (obsolete) The quality or state of being firm, hard, or solid; firmness, hardness, solidity.
- noun (also figuratively) A fortified or secure place; a fortress, a stronghold.
- noun (obsolete except UK, regional) Something used to fasten or tie; a fastener or fastening.
Synonyms
speed swiftness fixedness fixity fixture secureness stronghold
Etymology
From Middle English fastnes, fastnesse (“immovableness, stability; firmness, solidness; secure attachment; constancy; obstinacy; something giving firmness or strength; of sleep: soundness; of a wound: healing; assurance, confirmation”) [and other forms], from Old English fæstnes (“fastness, firmness, stability; resolution; tenacity; vigour; firmament; fortification”) [and other forms], from fæst (“firm, stable; constant”) (from Proto-Germanic *fastuz (“firm, fixed; secure”); see further at that entry) + -nes (suffix forming abstract nouns denoting a quality or state). The English word may be analysed as fast + -ness.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The state of being fast and firm; firmness; fixedness; security; faithfulness.
- noun A fast place; a stronghold; a fortress or fort; a secure retreat; a castle; as, the enemy retired to their fastnesses in the mountains.
Etymology [AS. fæstnes, fr. fæst fast. See Fast, a.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “fastness”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details