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Added 9 October 2026

fastness

/ˈfɑːs(t)nəs/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about fastness at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A rate (usually rapid) at which something happens.
the project advanced with gratifying speed
The quality of being fixed in place as by some firm attachment.
A strongly fortified defensive structure.

Origin

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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