handfast

noun

hand·​fast ˈhan(d)-ˌfast How to pronounce handfast (audio)
archaic
: a contract or covenant especially of betrothal or marriage

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English handfæst

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of handfast was circa 1616

Rhymes for handfast

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Browse Nearby Words

hand-eye coordination
handfast
handfasting
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Cite this Entry

“Handfast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handfast. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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