- fasten
- fas|ten [ˈfa:sən US ˈfæ-] v▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(clothes/bag etc)¦2¦(window/gate etc)¦3¦(attach something to something)¦4¦(hold something tightly)¦5 fasten your eyes/gaze on somebody/something6 fasten your attention on somebody/somethingPhrasal verbsfasten on/upon somethingfasten onto somebody/something▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[: Old English; Origin: fAstnian; related to FAST2]1.) ¦(CLOTHES/BAG ETC)¦ also fasten upa) [T]to join together the two sides of a coat, shirt, bag etc so that it is closed= ↑do up≠ ↑unfasten▪ 'I'm going now,' she said, fastening her coat.▪ Fasten your seat belt.b)to become joined together with buttons, hooks etc= ↑do up▪ I was so fat that my skirt wouldn't fasten.2.) ¦(WINDOW/GATE ETC)¦ [I and T]to firmly close a window, gate etc so that it will not open, or to become firmly closed≠ ↑unfasten▪ Make sure all the windows are securely fastened before you leave.3.) ¦(ATTACH SOMETHING TO SOMETHING)¦ [T]to attach something firmly to another object or surfacefasten sth with sth▪ Fasten the edges of the cloth together with pins.fasten sth to sth▪ They fastened the rope to a tree.4.) ¦(HOLD SOMETHING TIGHTLY)¦ [I and T]to hold something firmly with your hands, legs, arms, or teethfasten sth around/round sth▪ She fastened her arms around his neck.fasten around/round▪ A strong hand fastened round her wrist.fasten on/onto▪ Their long claws allow them to fasten onto the rocks and hold firm.5.) fasten your eyes/gaze on sb/sthto look at someone or something for a long time▪ He rose, his eyes still fastened on the piece of paper.6.) fasten your attention on sb/sthto think a lot about one particular thing or person▪ He was working quietly, all his attention fastened on the task.fasten on/upon [fasten on/upon sth] [i]phr vto give particular attention to something because you think it is important or interesting▪ My mother fastened on the word "unsafe".fasten onto / [fasten onto sb/sth] phr v1.) to give particular attention to something because you think it is important or interesting2.) to follow someone and stay with them, especially when they do not want you to= ↑latch onto somebody▪ The dog seemed lost and fastened onto us.
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.