enfasten

English

Etymology

From fast +‎ en- -en.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ɛnˈfæsə̆n/

Verb

enfasten (third-person singular simple present enfastens, present participle enfastening, simple past and past participle enfastened)

1. (rare, chiefly literary) To fasten, to bind tightly.
   • c 1819–1861: Arthur Hugh Clough, Amours de Voyage: Canto V, V. Claude tu Eustace

     Utterly vain is, alas! this attempt at the Absolute, — wholly!
     

     I, who believed not in her, because I would fain believe nothing,
     

     Have to believe as I may, with a wilful, unmeaning acceptance.
     

     I, who refused to enfasten the roots of my floating existence
     

     In the rich earth, cling now to the hard, naked rock that is left me, —
     

     Ah! she was worthy, Eustace — and that, indeed, is my comfort, —
     

     Worthy a nobler heart than a fool such as I could have given her.