Etymology 1

Verb: . Cognate with Dutch , German , Old Norse , Gothic .

Noun

1. The act or practice of abstaining from food or of eating very little food.
2. The period of time during which one abstains from or eats very little food.
   • Lent and Ramadan are fasts of two religions.

Verb

1. To abstain from or eat very little food; to abstain from food for religious reasons.
   • 2007, John Zerzan, Silence, p. 3,

     It is at the core of the Vision Quest, the solitary period of fasting and closeness to the earth to discover one's life path and purpose.

Etymology 2

, from . Cognate with Dutch , German , Old Norse . Ultimately derived from together with Armenian and Sanskrit . For temporal meanings compare similar use of .

Adjective

1. Occurring or happening within a short period of time.

   The party started promptly – all the guests arrived very fast after eight.

2. Capable of moving with great speed.

   I am going to buy a fast car.

3. Ahead of the correct time or schedule.

   There must be something wrong with the hall clock. It is always fast.

4. More sensitive to light than average.
5. A person (usually a woman) who consents to sexual activity more rapidly than others.

   She's fast – she slept with him on their first date..

6. Firmly or securely fixed in place.

   That rope is dangerously loose. Make it fast!

7. Not running or fading when subjected to detrimental conditions such as wetness or intense light.

   All the washing has come out pink. That red tee-shirt was not fast.

8. Inseparable.
9. Deep or sound.

Synonyms

quick, rapid, speedy, swift quick, rapid, speedy ahead easy, slut firm, immobile, secure, stable, stuck, tight colour-fast deep, sound

Noun

1. A train that calls at only some stations it passes between its origin and destination, typically just the principal stations.

Interjection

1. Stop shooting; do not release any arrows.

Etymology 3

, from the same root as Etymology 2, above. Cognate with Dutch , German .

Adverb

1. In a fast manner; within a short time.

   Do it as fast as you can.

2. Moving quickly or with great speed.

   Horses can run very fast.

3. In a firm or secure manner.

   Hold this rope as fast as you can.

4. Deeply or soundly.

   He is fast asleep.

5. Ahead of the correct time or schedule.

   I think my watch is running fast.

Synonyms

quickly, rapidly, speedily, swiftly quickly, rapidly, speedily, swiftly firmly, securely, tightly deeply ahead