FAST (2)

fast (2). Fast, n. an abstinanence from all food, a day set apart for fasting, that which fastens

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Fast, n. [[OE. faste, fast; cf. AS. fæsten, OHG. fasta, G. faste. See Fast, v. i.]] 1. 1. Abstinence from food; omission to take nourishment.
Surfeit is the father of much fast. Shak. 2. 2. Voluntary abstinence from food, for a space of time, as a spiritual discipline, or as a token of religious humiliation.
3. 3. A time of fasting, whether a day, week, or longer time; a period of abstinence from food or certain kinds of food; as, an annual fast.
Fast day, a day appointed for fasting, humiliation, and religious offices as a means of invoking the favor of God. — To break one's fast, to put an end to a period of abstinence by taking food; especially, to take one's morning meal; to breakfast. Shak.