fasten

fas•ten v.

to attach firmly or securely in place or to something else;
connect:[~ + object]to fasten a light switch securely to the wall.
to (cause to) be secure, as an article of dress with buttons, clasps, etc., or a door with a lock, bolt, etc.: [~ + object]Fasten the window.[no object]This clasp won't fasten.
to direct (the eyes, thoughts, etc.) intently;
focus attention: [~ + object]She fastened her eyes on him during the entire performance.[~ + on]His gaze fastened on the jewels.

fas•ten•er, n. [countable]

fas•ten v.t.

to attach firmly or securely in place;
fix securely to something else.
to make secure, as an article of dress with buttons, clasps, etc., or a door with a lock, bolt, etc.
to enclose securely, as a person or an animal (usually fol. by in):to fasten a monkey in a cage.
to attach, associate, or connect:to fasten a nickname on someone.
to direct (the eyes, thoughts, etc.) intently:to fasten one's eyes on a speaker.

v.i.

to become fast, fixed, or firm.
to close firmly or securely;
lock:This clasp won't fasten.
to take a firm hold;
seize (usually fol. by on or upon):to fasten on an idea.
to focus attention;
concentrate (usually fol. by on or upon):His gaze fastened on the jewels.

bef. 900; Middle English fastenen, Old English fæstnian; cognate with Old Norse fastna to betroth; akin to fast¹

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fasten /ˈfɑːs^ən/ vb

to make or become fast or secure
to make or become attached or joined
to close or become closed by fixing firmly in place, locking, etc
(transitive; followed by in or up) to enclose or imprison
(transitive) usually followed by on: to cause (blame, a nickname, etc) to be attached (to); place (on) or impute (to)
usually followed by on or upon: to direct or be directed in a concentrated way; fix
(intransitive) usually followed by on: take firm hold (of)

Etymology: Old English fæstnian; related to Old Norse fastna to pledge, Old High German fastinōn to make fast; see fast¹ˈfastener n

'fasten' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

Collocations: fasten your [seatbelt, belt], fasten the [ropes, straps, belts, cords], fasten (it) around your [waist, arms, chest, body], more...

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