handfast

Meanings

Noun

• A hold, grasp; custody, power of confining or keeping.
• A contract, agreement, covenant; specifically betrothal, espousal.

Verb

• To pledge; to bind
• To betroth by joining hands, in order to allow for cohabitation before the celebration of marriage; to marry provisionally.

Adjective

• Fast by contract; betrothed by joining hands.
• Strong; steadfast.

Origin

• From Middle English hondfast, past participle of Middle English hondfesten ("to betroth"), from Old Norse handfesta, itself from hönd + festa (compare see past- in Indo-European roots).
• , itself from Hand + fest.