verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
- to cause to hasten; accelerate: to hasten someone from a room; to hasten the arrival of a happier time.
verb
- (may take an infinitive) to hurry or cause to hurry; rush
- (tr) to be anxious (to say something)I hasten to add that we are just good friends
1560s, extended form of haste (v.) with -en (1). Related: Hastened; hastening.