[f. as prec. + -ING1.]
1. The action of the vb. FASTEN in various senses.
a. 1400. Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS., 8. The seuende Sacrament es matrymoyne, þat es lawefull festynnynge be-twyx mane and womane.
1605. Timme, Quersit., III. 192. Of all fastnings or closing vp of Glasses, that no vapours nor spirits goe foorth, the Seale of Hermes is most noble.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., 24. Were found as firm and unwasted as at their first fastening.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 244. The fastening of the circle of stones … upon their respective cubes.
1850. W. B. Clarke, Wreck Favorite, 33. There is no fastening of the shaft or stock into the socket.
b. attrib. Fastening penny (dial.): a small sum of money paid on hiring a servant, to secure the agreement. Cf. FASTEN v. 5.
1872. Gentl. Mag., Nov., 578. A bargain was struck, and considered thoroughly binding by the acceptance on the part of the servant of what was called ‘the fastening penny.’
† 2. The condition of being fastened; a. of being set on a firm basis. b. In fastenings = in prison.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, 502. Thorgh whaim oþere ere broght til stabilnes & festyngynge.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XV. 309. He [Iohn of Lorn] wes lang tyme in festnyng.
3. concr. That which fastens or makes secure; that which connects one person or thing with another, or secures (a person or thing) in position; † that which confirms or establishes.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 67. Þos ilke bode wisliche þing of oðre is ful festning.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, xvii[i]. 1. Lord my festynynge.
1480. Caxton, Chron. Eng., cxlvii. 126. The chirch dores were shytte with keyes and with other fastnynge.
1611. Bible, Hab. ii. 11. For the stone shall crie out of the wall, and the beame [marg. note fastening] out of the timber shall answere it.
1769. Public Advertiser, 18 May, 3/4. Brass Sash Fastenings.
1850. Prescott, Peru, II. 340. Pizarro, unable … to adjust the fastenings of his cuirass, threw it away.
1869. C. Gibbon, Robin Gray, I. v. 75. Crummie was a staid beast, and one not likely to break from her fastenings.
1885. I. an Reports 15 Q. Bench Div. 316 A bar … was kept in its position by means of a fastening.
fig. 1633. G. Herbert, Temple, Confession, iv.
| Smooth open hearts no fastning have; but fiction | |
| Doth give a hold and handle to affliction. |
