Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

avast

 - 3 dictionary results

a⋅vast

[uh-vast, uh-vahst]
–verb (imperative) Nautical.
(used as a command to stop or cease): Avast heaving!

Origin:
1675–85; perh. < D houd vast hold fast (see hold 1 , fast 1 )
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To avast
a·vast   (ə-vāst')   
interj.   Nautical
Used as a command to stop or desist.

[From Middle Dutch hou vast, hold fast : hou, houd, imperative of houden, to hold + vast, fast; see past- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

avast 
1681, a nautical interjection, "hold! stop!" probably worn down from Du. houd vast "hold fast."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see avast on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: