Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Fast, a. [ME. fast, OE. fæst, ON. fastr.]

1. Fixed, firm; unable to move or incapable of being moved or loosened. 1443 Highland P. II. 178.
In as fast and sikir fourme [of exchange] as can be made a1500 Henr. Fab. 2846.
Suld I be bund and fast quhar I am fre 1535 Stewart 30670.
Thair is no band that dow to hald thame fast 1549 Compl. 41/3.
Ane of the marynalis began to hail and to cry … mak fast & belay 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 141.
Persuading [them] that thai haif the fast end of the cord, quhilk thai find lous, quhen thai drau it 1600-1610 Melvill 143.
If he war annes fast, he wald nocht be lowsit again 1631–49 Conv. Burghs IV. 556.
To take notice of the staple waires shipped at Leith, especially of skins fast and louse

2. a. Firm, solid. b. Close-fitting. c. Strong against attack. 1596 Dalr. I. 36/24. Ib. 99/13.
That thick mater … grew into fast eard — 1626 Edinb. Test. LIV. 25 b.
Ane lous gowne, … ane fast gowne of sateine seybumbasie — 1643 Spalding II. 258.
The Erll of Essex keipeth him self in fast places so that he can not be fought with