| 释义 |
ˈhandfasting, vbl. n. Obs. exc. Hist.
[f. handfast v. + -ing1. Cf. Sw. handfästning solemn engagement.]
Betrothal.
1530Palsgr. 183 Vnes fiansayles, an assuryng or handfastynge of folkes to be maryed. 1561J. Daus tr. Bullinger on Apoc. (1573) 256 In matrimonie there is a contract or makyng sure, there is a coupling or handfasting of eyther partie, and finally mariage. a1603T. Cartwright Confut. Rhem. N.T. (1618) 167 After they had in their handfasting, solemnly professed before God..they would live [etc.]. 1691Nicholson Gloss. Northanhymb. 142 Hand-festing. Contractus Matrimonialis. 1880T. A. Spalding Eliz. Demonol. 5 The betrothal, or handfasting.
b. Formerly treated as an uncanonical, private, or even probationary form of marriage. See Brand Pop. Antiq. (1870) II. 46, Jamieson s.v.
1541Coverdale Chr. State of Matrim. (1543) 43 b (Brand) In some places..at the Handefasting ther is made a greate feaste and superfluous Bancket, and even the same night are the two handfasted personnes brought and layed together, yea, certan wekes afore they go to the Chyrch. 1774Pennant Tour Scotl. in 1772 i. (1790) 91 Among the various customs now obsolete, the most curious was that of hand-fisting, in use about a century past. 1805Forsyth Beauties Scotl. II. 284 This was called hand-fasting, or hand in fist. 1884Spectator 16 Feb. 224/2 A rude morality even attached to the probationary marriage, made by the joining of hands or ‘hand-fasting’. 1888Durham Parish Bks. App. (Surtees) 371 In vol. XXI of the Surtees Soc. publications..interesting instances will be found of such handfasting (as it was called) in private houses or elsewhere, being proved and recognised in court. |