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

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

Fast, v. Also: faste. [ME. fast(e, fasten, OE. fæstan, ON. fasta.]

1. intr. To go without, or abstain from, food. 1375 Barb. vii. 167 (E).
The king weill lang fastyt had a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 120.
Quhen gud men suld to faste begyne c1420 Wynt. v. 2666.
He bad that men be na way Sulde fast apon the Sonownday 1456 Hay I. 78/32.
The tane [delytis] to ete airly, the tothir to fast lang c1500-c1512 Dunb. lviii. 7.
I stand fastand in a nwke 1567 G. Ball. 206.
The monkis of Melros maid gude kaill On Frydayis quhen thay fastit 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 14.
Johne Scott fastit without meit or drink … xxxii dayes

2. tr. a. To restrict one's food to (something). 1375 Barb. xi. 381.
Thair dynit nane of thame that day, … Thai fastit bred and vattir ilkone

b. To observe by fasting. c1420 Wynt. v. 557.
Thare ordanyt he … The Lentryne to be fastyt ay Off fourty dayis 1562-3 Winȝet I. 126/17.
Thai fastit the samin maist strictlie, nocht only … fra flesche, bot fra wynis