English Lexicon

Hasten

/ˈheɪ.sən/
verbCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As verb
  1. 1

    To move or act quickly; to accelerate.

    "We need to hasten our efforts to meet the deadline."
  2. 2

    To cause something to happen sooner than it otherwise would.

    "The new policy is designed to hasten the approval process."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word 'hasten' originates from the Middle English 'hastenen', which is derived from the Old English 'hæstan', meaning 'to make haste'. Its roots can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic '*hastōną', reflecting a historical emphasis on urgency and speed.

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