Fasting day, a fast day; a day of fasting.
Fast, n. [OE. faste, fast; cf. AS. fÊsten, OHG. fasta, G. faste. See
Fast, v. i.] 1. Abstinence from food; omission to take nourishment.
Surfeit is the father of much fast.
Shak.
2. Voluntary abstinence from food, for a space of time, as a spiritual
discipline, or as a token of religious humiliation.
3. A time of fasting, whether a day, week, or longer time; a period of
abstinence from food or certain kinds of food; as, an annual fast.
Fast day, a day appointed for fasting, humiliation, and religious
offices as a means of invoking the favor of God. -- To break one's
fast, to put an end to a period of abstinence by taking food;
especially, to take one's morning meal; to breakfast. Shak.
Fast, a. [Compar. Faster (?); superl. Fastest (?).] [OE., firm, strong,
not loose, AS. f&?;st; akin to OS. fast, D. vast, OHG. fasti, festi, G.
fest, Icel. fastr, Sw. & Dan. fast, and perh. to E. fetter. The sense
swift comes from the idea of keeping close to what is pursued; a
Scandinavian use. Cf. Fast, adv., Fast, v., Avast.] 1. Firmly fixed;
closely adhering; made firm; not loose, unstable, or easily moved;
immovable; as, to make fast the door.
There is an order that keeps things fast.
Burke.
2. Firm against attack; fortified by nature or art; impregnable;
strong.
Outlaws . . . lurking in woods and fast places.
Spenser.
3. Firm in adherence; steadfast; not easily separated or alienated;
faithful; as, a fast friend.
4. Permanent; not liable to fade by exposure to air or by washing;
durable; lasting; as, fast colors.