Definition of FASTNESS

fastness

Plural: fastnesses

Noun

  • The quality of being fast; also, a secure stronghold.
  • a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens
  • the quality of being fixed in place as by some firm attachment
  • a strongly fortified defensive structure
  • The quality or state of being fast (in various senses).
  • The quality or state of being strongly attached; firmness, secureness, tenacity.
  • The quality or state of being fast (in various senses).
  • The quality or state of being strongly attached; firmness, secureness, tenacity.
  • The ability of a dye to withstand fading.
  • The quality or state of being fast (in various senses).
  • The quality or state of moving quickly; quickness, rapidity, swiftness.
  • The quality or state of being fast (in various senses).
  • The quality or state of having an extravagant lifestyle or immoral habits.
  • The quality or state of being fast (in various senses).
  • Of a fortress or other place: the quality or state of being secure from access or attack; safety, security.
  • The quality or state of being fast (in various senses).
  • The quality or state of being firm, hard, or solid; firmness, hardness, solidity.
  • Something that is fast, or that causes someone or something to be fast (in various senses).
  • A fortified or secure place; a fortress, a stronghold.
  • Something that is fast, or that causes someone or something to be fast (in various senses).
  • Something used to fasten or tie; a fastener or fastening.

Examples

  • The FASTNESS of his lead made his opponent despair of victory in Words With Friends.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English fastnes, fastnesse (“immovableness, stability; firmness, solidness; secure attachment; constancy; obstinacy; something giving firmness or strength; of sleep: soundness; of a wound: healing; assurance, confirmation”) [and other forms], from Old English fæstnes (“fastness, firmness, stability; resolution; tenacity; vigour; firmament; fortification”) [and other forms], from fæst (“firm, stable; constant”) (from Proto-Germanic *fastuz (“firm, fixed; secure”); see further at that entry) + -nes (suffix forming abstract nouns denoting a quality or state). The English word may be analysed as fast + -ness.

Antonyms

looseness

Scrabble Score: 11

fastness: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
fastness: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
fastness: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

fastness: valid Words With Friends Word