Handfast

Middle English hondfast, past participle of hondfesten 'to betroth', from Old Norse handfesta 'to strike a bargain, pledge', itself from hönd 'hand' + festa 'to fasten, fix, affirm' (compare see past- in Indo-European roots).

Full definition of handfast

Noun

1. (obsolete) A hold, grasp; custody, power of confining or keeping.
2. (obsolete) A contract, agreement, covenant; specifically betrothal, espousal.

Verb

1. (transitive) To pledge; to bind
2. (transitive, Wicca) To betroth by joining hands, in order to allow cohabitation before the celebration of marriage; to marry provisionally.
• (1820) When we are handfasted, as we term it, we are man and wife for a year and a day; that space gone by, each may choose another mate, or, at their pleasure, may call the priest to marry them for life; and this we call handfasting. - Sir Walter Scott, The Monastery

Adjective

1. (obsolete) Fast by contract; betrothed by joining hands.

German Handfest, itself from Hand 'hand' + fest 'firm, strong'.

Adjective

1. (rare) Strong; steadfast.