fast
/fæst/
adjective
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*fastuz — firm, solid, fixed
Overview
Meaning Now
- Moving or capable of moving at high speed.
- Firmly fixed or held in place; secure.
- Engaged in or characterized by excessive pleasure-seeking (often in 'fast life').
- Abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink.
Literal older meaning
firm, fixed, steady
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
fæst
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
The development of 'fast' from meaning 'firm' or 'fixed' to 'rapid' is a classic example of semantic shift. In Middle English, 'fast' could mean 'tightly' or 'strongly' (as in 'fast asleep' or 'hold fast'), and the leap to 'quick' occurred as speed came to be associated with strong, intense, or resolute action.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*fastuz
“firm, constant”
- Old English
fæst
“firm, steadfast, secure”
Original core meaning was lack of movement.
- Middle English
fast
“immovable; rapid”
The sense of 'rapid' emerged from 'firmly or securely', implying intensity or force.
Connections
Word parts
fast
root
firm/fixed
Related across languages
German
fest
firm, solid
Dutch
vast
fixed, firm
Related words
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Related to fast
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.