fast

adjective (fast, faster, fastest); adverb (fast); verb (fast, fasts, fasted, fasting); noun (a fast)

«fast» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

Fast means moving or doing something quickly. tree →
A clock or watch that is fast shows a time later than the real time. tree →
Fast also means firmly, tightly: «stuck fast», «fast asleep» (very deeply asleep). tree →
To fast is to not eat for a time, often for religious reasons; a fast is that time. tree →

In the lessons

In school maths: speed comparisons — who is faster, how fast (a rate: distance ÷ time); fastest time; a clock that is 5 minutes fast. In science: speed, forces, friction slows things down. In everyday life: fast food, running fast on sports day, «not so fast!». Phrases: «as fast as», «fast asleep», «fast food», «hold fast», «fast forward».

Examples

How fast does the car go? tree →
Tom runs faster than Ben. tree →
The fast train goes 120 km an hour. tree →
Who is the fastest? tree →
The cheetah is the fastest land animal. tree →
My watch is 5 minutes fast. tree →
The baby is fast asleep. tree →
Some people fast during Ramadan. tree →
His chest heaved hard and fast. tree →

Note

«Fast» is both adjective and adverb: «a fast car», «she runs fast» (not «fastly»). «Breakfast» is the meal that breaks the night's fast. Maths: «how fast» asks for a speed (distance ÷ time). Trap: faster means less time for the same distance; a clock 5 minutes fast means take away 5 minutes for the real time.

In Jewish tradition

In many verses it means firmly or tightly: "fast closed" and "hold him fast." In the Prophets and Writings it also means to go without food as an act of religious mourning or prayer, and "standeth fast" means is firmly settled.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the closed wombs as a sign that God watches over Abraham's household and Sarah. Holding Ishmael "fast" is read as God's care for him and his promised nation. Isaiah teaches that fasting means little unless it comes with justice and kindness.

Examples

For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife. (Torah GEN.20.18, JPS 1917) tree →
Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him fast by thy hand; for I will make him a great nation.' (Torah GEN.21.18, JPS 1917) tree →
'Wherefore have we fasted, and Thou seest not? (Prophets ISA.58.3, JPS 1917) tree →
They hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. (Prophets JER.8.5, JPS 1917) tree →
For ever, O LORD, Thy word standeth fast in heaven. (Writings PSA.119.89, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «fast» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«fast» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «fast» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«fast» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.

This page in Markdown → https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/fast/