handfast verb trans. ['han(d)fɑ:st] LOE.
[In sense 1 from Old Norse handfesta strike a bargain by joining hands etc.; in senses 2, 3 from HAND noun + FAST adjective.]
1. Betroth (two people or one person to another); esp. contract (a person or two people) to cohabit with another or together for a trial period before marriage. obsolete exc. Hist. LOE.
b. Of a man: become betrothed to, cohabit with (a woman). Long rare. L16.

2. Grasp, seize firmly with the hand. M16-M17.

3. Manacle, secure the hands of. L16-E17.

■ handfasting noun (obsolete exc. Hist.) betrothal; the ceremony of contracting a trial period of marriage: L15.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

handfast adjective. ['han(d)fɑ:st] ME.
[In senses 1, 2, orig. pa. pple of HANDFAST verb; in sense 3 from HAND noun + FAST adjective.]
1. Contracted by the joining of hands; betrothed, espoused. obsolete exc. Hist. ME.

2. Bound; manacled. ME-M17.

3. Close-fisted (lit. & fig.). Now rare or obsolete. E17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

handfast noun. ['han(d)fɑ:st] M16.
[App. from HAND noun + FAST adjective; sense 2 from HANDFAST verb.]
1. (A) firm hold or grip with the hands. M16-M17.
■ R. Hawkins Such were the blowes he gave them..as both left their hand-fast.

2. A contract; spec. a betrothal or marriage contract, esp. such a contract sealed by a handshake. obsolete exc. Hist. E17.
■ Shakespeare Cymbeline And the remembrancer of her to hold the hand-fast to her lord. attrib.: Daily Telegraph The 'handfast' marriage by which a couple could marry by clasping hands and swearing their vows before witnesses.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲