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fast
1 a: firmly fixed <roots fast in the ground> b: tightly shut <the drawers were fast> c: adhering firmly d: not easily freed : stuck <a ball fast in the mouth of the cannon> e: stable <movable items were made fast to the deck>2: firmly loyal <became fast friends>3 a: characterized by quick motion, operation, or effect:
(1): moving or able to move rapidly : swift
(2): taking a comparatively short time
(3): imparting quickness of motion <a fast bowler>
(4): accomplished quickly
(5): agile of mind
; especially : quick to learn <a class for fast students> b: conducive to rapidity of play or action c
(1)of a timepiece or weighing device : indicating in advance of what is correct
(2): according to or being daylight saving time d: contributing to a shortening of exposure time <fast film> e: acquired with unusually little effort and often by shady or dishonest methods <had a keen eye for a fast buck
— R. A. Keith>4 a: securely attached <a rope fast to the wharf> b: tenacious <a fast hold on her purse>5 aarchaic : sound asleep bof sleep : not easily disturbed6: not fading or changing color readily7 a: wild <a pretty fast crowd> b: sexually promiscuous8: resistant to change (as from destructive action or fading) <fast dyes> —often used in combination <sunfast><acid-fast bacteria>
synonyms fast
, rapid
, swift
, fleet
, quick
, speedy
, hasty
, expeditious mean moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity. fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves <fast horses> and rapid to the movement itself <rapid current>. swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement <returned the ball with one swift stroke>. fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness <fleet runners>. quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time <a quick wit>. speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment <speedy delivery of mail> and may also suggest unusual velocity. hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness <a hasty inspection>. expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment <the expeditious handling of an order>.
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