handfast

The couple stood before their families to celebrate their handfast with a traditional ceremony.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • Betrothal: "handfast" refers to a contract of betrothal, especially a temporary or trial marriage, historically in Scotland. It denotes a formal engagement or a period of living together as a couple before a permanent marriage.
   • Grasp: A less common meaning, "handfast" can signify a firm grip or hold, as in a handshake or a binding agreement.

2. Verb:

   • To betroth: To formally engage or promise in marriage, often through a handclasp or ceremonial binding.
   • To grip: To seize or hold firmly with the hand.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • In medieval Scotland, a handfast was a legally recognized trial marriage lasting a year and a day. (A formal betrothal or temporary union.)
  • He gave her a ring as a token of their handfast. (A symbol of their engagement.)

• Verb:

  • The couple was handfasted by the village elder in a simple ceremony. (They were formally betrothed or married temporarily.)
  • She handfasted the rope to secure the boat. (She gripped or tied it firmly.)

Advanced Usage

• "to make a handfast": to enter into a betrothal or temporary marriage agreement.

  • The families agreed to make a handfast to unite their clans. (They formalized a marriage contract.)

• "handfast marriage": a historical Scottish practice of trial marriage.

  • A handfast marriage allowed couples to test their compatibility before a permanent union. (A provisional marriage.)

Variants and Related Words

• Handfasting (n): the act or ceremony of betrothal, especially involving a handclasp.

  • The handfasting was celebrated with feasting and dancing. (The betrothal ceremony.)

• Handfasted (adj): bound by a handfast; betrothed or temporarily married.

  • The handfasted couple lived together for a year. (They were in a trial marriage.)

Synonyms

• Betrothal: a formal engagement to be married.
• Pledge: a solemn promise or agreement.
• Grip: a firm hold.

Related Idioms

• Join hands: to unite or marry, often used in a ceremonial context.

  • They joined hands in a handfast to seal their pledge. (They clasped hands to formalize the betrothal.)

• Hand in hand: in close cooperation or partnership.

  • The handfast bound them hand in hand for a year. (They were united in a trial marriage.)