Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- Archaic. a covenant or contract, especially a betrothal, usually completed by a handclasp.
noun
- an agreement, esp of marriage, confirmed by a handshake
- a firm grip
verb (tr)
- to betroth or marry (two persons or another person) by joining the hands
- to grip with the hand
“betroth, bind in wedlock,” mid-12c., from Old English handfæsten, from hand (n.) + fast (see fasten). Related: Handfasted; handfasting.