handfast

[ hand-fast, -fahst ]

noun

1. Archaic. a covenant or contract, especially a betrothal, usually completed by a handclasp.

handfast

/ ˈhændˌfɑːst /

noun

1. an agreement, esp of marriage, confirmed by a handshake
2. a firm grip

verb

1. to betroth or marry (two persons or another person) by joining the hands
2. to grip with the hand

Word History and Origins

Origin of handfast¹

1150–1200; Middle English (past participle), earlier handfest < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse handfestr, past participle of handfesta to betroth with a joining of hands, equivalent to hand hand + festa to betroth, literally, make fast, fasten

Example Sentences

The Carrs began by issuing sixpenny-booklet selections of the classics, hand-drawn maps of the English counties and one or two bona fide originals, such as Carr’s Dictionary of English Queens, Kings’ Wives, Celebrated Paramours, Handfast Spouses and Royal Changelings, which, as experts pointed out, would have sold even better had the more technically accurate “concubines” replaced “handfast spouses”.

From The Guardian

The first check given to the practice appears to have been the decree of the Kirk Session of Aberdeen, in 1562, that persons cohabiting under the sanction of a handfast contract of marriage should be united in lawful wedlock.

From Project Gutenberg

Lindsay, the chronicler, says of Alexander Dunbar, son of the sixth Earl of Moray, and Isobel Innes,—“This Isobel was but handfast with him, and deceased before the marriage.”

From Project Gutenberg

Me thinke the person doth greatly forget himselfe, which hauing handfast vpon occasion, suffreth the same to vanish and fly away, sith it is wel known that she being bald behinde, hath no place to sease vpon when desire moueth vs to lay hold vpon hir.

From Project Gutenberg

The same phenomena are repeated in the Isle of Purbeck, where the line of vertical chalk forms the projecting promontory of Handfast Point; and Swanage Bay marks the deep excavation made by the waves in the softer strata, corresponding to those of Sandown Bay.

From Project Gutenberg