[ad. L. fesīnātiōn-em, f. festīnāre: see FESTINATE v.] The action of the vb. FESTINATE; haste, speed. Obs. or arch.
1540–1. Elyot, Image Govt. (1556), 86. To come … to Rome at his leisure, without festinacion or travayle.
1613–8. Danill, The Collection of the Historie of England, 173. The Solemnitie with much festination, and little reuerence is performed.
1661. K. W., Confused Characters, Colledge Butler (1860), 71. He’s a Hircus in his wanton endeavours after dainties, and a Cervus in his speed and festination he maks to obtain them, his fear of loosing, and his quick hearing the rumor of them.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
1822. T. Taylor, Apuleius, VIII. 177. But those most iniquitous fugitives, our leaders, despising the salutary admonition, through the temerity of a blind festination, and the fear of an uncertain pursuit, without waiting for the approaching light of day, forced us laden on our journey, nearly about the third watch of the night [i. e. about midnight].
b. spec. (Path.) Involuntary hurrying in walking, as observed in some nervous diseases.
1878. A. M. Hamilton, Nervous Diseases, 407. Any attempt at locomotion is attended by what has been called ‘festination.’
