fastness
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Fastness — Fast ness, n. [AS. f[ae]stnes, fr. f[ae]st fast. See {Fast}, a.] 1. The state of being fast and firm; firmness; fixedness; security; faithfulness. [1913 Webster] All . . . places of fastness [are] laid open. Sir J. Davies. [1913 Webster] 2. A… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
fastness — a place not easily forced, a stronghold, late O.E. fæstnes, from FAST (Cf. fast) (adj.) in its older sense of firm, fixed in place + NESS (Cf. ness) … Etymology dictionary
fastness — stronghold, *fort, fortress, citadel … New Dictionary of Synonyms
fastness — ► NOUN 1) a secure place well protected by natural features. 2) the ability of a dye to maintain its colour … English terms dictionary
fastness — [fast′nis, fäst′nis] n. [ME fastnesse < OE fæstnes: see FAST1 & NESS] 1. the quality or condition of being fast 2. a secure place; stronghold … English World dictionary
fastness — /fast nis, fahst /, n. 1. a secure or fortified place; stronghold: a mountain fastness. 2. the state of being fixed or firm: the fastness of democratic institutions. 3. the state of being rapid. [bef. 900; ME; OE faestnes. See FAST1, NESS] * * * … Universalium
fastness — [[t]fɑ͟ːstnəs, fæ̱st [/t]] fastnesses N COUNT: with supp A fastness is a place, such as a castle, which is considered safe because it is difficult to reach or easy to defend against attack. [LITERARY] In his 80s, from the rural fastness of his… … English dictionary
fastness — UK [ˈfɑːstnəs] / US [ˈfæstnəs] noun [countable] Word forms fastness : singular fastness plural fastnesses literary a place that is difficult to attack or get control of, usually because it is on the top of a hill or mountain … English dictionary
fastness — noun Date: before 12th century 1. the quality or state of being fast: as a. the quality or state of being fixed b. the quality or state of being swift c. colorfast quality d. resistance (as of an organism) to the action of a usually toxic… … New Collegiate Dictionary
fastness — The state of tolerance exhibited by bacteria to a drug or other agent. See fast. * * * fast·ness fas(t) nəs n resistance (as of an organism) to the action of a usu. toxic substance <streptomycin fastness developed by a strain of tubercule… … Medical dictionary
