3 entries under this word

Handfast

Hānd'-fāst, n.

noun

n. Hold; custody; power of confining or keeping. [Obs.] Shak.

Hānd'fāst, a.

adjective

a. Fast by contract; betrothed by joining hands. [Obs.]

Hānd'fāst, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. HANDFASTED; p. pr. & vb. n. HANDFASTING.] [Sax. handfæstan.] To pledge; to betroth by joining hands, in order to cohabitation, before the celebration of marriage. [Obs.]