[hand-fast, -fahst] 
| Archaic. a covenant or contract, esp. a betrothal, usually completed by a handclasp. |
| hand·fast (hānd'fāst') n. Archaic A handclasp used to signify a pledge, such as a contract or marriage. [From Middle English hondfast, past participle of hondfesten, to betroth, from Old Norse handfesta, to strike a bargain, pledge : hönd, hand + festa, to fasten, fix, affirm; see past- in Indo-European roots.] |
