fæstan

From Proto-Germanic *fastijaną (“to fasten”), *fastāną (“to fast”), derived from *fastuz (“fast, fixed, firm”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈfæs.tɑn/

fæstan

1. to fasten, make fast or firm, entrust, commit, commend
2. to fast (abstain from food)
   • Homilies of the Anglo-Saxon Church

     Witodlīċe þis fēowertiġfealde fæsten wæs āsteald on ðǣre Ealdan Gėcyðnysse, ðāðā sē heretoga Moyses fæste fēowertiġ daga and fēowertiġ nihta tosamne, tō þȳ þæt hē moste Godes ǣ underfōn.

     Truly, this fortyfold fast was established in the Old Testament, where the leader Moses fasted for forty days and forty nights, so that he could be allowed to receive God's law.

   • 11th century, Wessex Gospels, Mark 2:19

     ne mágon hí fæstan

     they cannot fast

• befæstan

• English: fast