avast etymology

Etymology

The word "avast" has its roots in the Dutch phrase "hou vast," which means "hold fast." It was first used in the 16th century by Dutch sailors, and it was later adopted by English sailors.

Meaning

"Avast" is a nautical term that means "stop" or "cease." It is used to order someone to stop an action or movement. For example, a ship's captain might say "avast heaving" to order the crew to stop pulling on the ropes.

Origin

The word "avast" is thought to have originated in the Netherlands, where it was used by sailors to give orders to their crew. It was later adopted by English sailors, and it is now used in navies around the world.

avast relate terms

  • fast

    Etymology Fast derives from the Middle English word faste which means to refrain from

  • fast

    Etymology Fast derives from the Middle English word faste which means to refrain from

  • hold

    Etymology Old English healdan Proto West Germanic haldan Proto Germanic haldaną P

  • behold

    Etymology Origin Old English behaldan from Proto Germanic bihanthaldiz derived fr

  • beholden

    Etymology Old English behalden meaning to hold in regard Old English be intens

  • vast

    Etymology The word vast comes from the Latin word vastus which means empty desolat

  • random

    Etymology random from Middle French randon meaning violent movement attack impetuo

  • propaganda

    Etymology and Meaning The word propaganda comes from the Latin phrase propaganda fide

  • hectic

    Etymology The word hectic comes from the Greek word hektikos which means habitual

  • inimical

    Etymology Latin inimīcus enemy Proto Indo European h₃en h₁kó s uncongenia

  • honor

    Etymology The word honor traces its roots back to the Latin word honor which has a c

  • precipitation

    Etymology precipitare Latin to fall rush down prae Latin prefix before down

  • aloof

    Etymology Old English ālof meaning on high or elevated Proto Germanic alēwa

  • deed

    Etymology The word deed comes from the Middle English word dede which in turn der

  • muff

    Etymology The word muff has its origins in the Middle English word moffe meaning a