fasten

verb

1 CLOTHES/BAG ETC also fasten up

a) (T) to join together the two sides of a coat, shirt, bag etc so that it is closed: “I'm going now,” she said, fastening her coat. | Fasten your seat belt!

—opposite unfasten

b) (I) to become joined together with buttons, hooks etc: I was so fat that my skirt wouldn't fasten.

2 WINDOW/GATE ETC

a) (T) to firmly close a window, gate etc so that it will not open: Make sure all the windows are securely fastened before you leave.

—opposite unfasten

b) (I) to become firmly closed: This door won't fasten.

3 FIX STH TO STH (T) to fix something firmly to another object or surface, especially using tape, a metal pin etc : fasten sth to sth: Someone had fastened a notice to my door. | Chains were fastened round his ankles.

4 fasten your teeth/legs/arms etc: to hold something firmly with your teeth, legs, arms, etc

(+ around): She fastened her arms around his neck. (+ onto/into): The snake had fastened its jaws onto his leg.

5 fasten your eyes on to look at someone or something for a long time: He rose, his eyes still fastened on the piece of paper.

6 fasten your attention on to think a lot about one particular thing

7 fasten blame on to blame someone or something, often unfairly

fasten on/upon sth phrasal verb (T) to decide quickly and eagerly that an idea is the best one: American companies were quick to fasten on to Japanese business methods. fasten onto sb phrasal verb (T) to follow someone and stay with them, especially when they do not want you to