Where does “hondfast” come from?
hondfast (Middle English) comes from Middle English hondfesten, from Old Norse handfesta, from Old Norse festa, from Proto-Germanic fastijaną, from Proto-Germanic fastuz — fixed, firm, secure.
Ancestry of “hondfast”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | hondfesten | to betroth |
| 2 | Old Norse | handfesta | to strike a bargain, pledge |
| 3 | Old Norse | festa | to fasten; inflection of festr: ## strong... |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | fastijaną | to fasten |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | fastuz | fixed, firm, secure |