farthing
494
Who can swim (the) farthest? | [+adv/prep] Which of these cities is farthest (away) from London? $\rightarrow$ see FARTHER (USAGE)
**far·thing** /'fɑːðɪŋ||'fɑ'r-/ $n$ a former British coin worth one quarter of an old PENNY
**fas-cia** /'fɜɪʃə/ $n \mathbf{1}$ a long band or board on the surface of something, especially one over a shop bearing the shop's name $2$ *BrE old-fash* the instrument board in a car; DASHBOARD
**fas-ci-nate** /'fæsɪneɪt/ $v$ [T] $\mathbf{1}$ to attract and hold the interest or attention of: *Anything to do with old myths and legends fascinates me. | I was fascinated to see how skilfully the old craftsman worked. | The students were fascinated with/by his ideas.* $\mathbf{2}$ to fix with the eyes so as to take away the power of movement, as a snake does with a small creature **-nation** /'fæsɪ'neɪʃən/ $n$ [S;U] *Chinese art has a great fascination for me. | The beautiful woman exercised a strange fascination over him.*
**fas·ci·nat·ing** /'fæsɪneɪtɪŋ/ $adj$ extremely interesting and charming: *a fascinating old city full of ancient buildings | I find her books quite fascinating.* **-ly** *adv*
**fas·cis·m** /'fæʃɪzəm/ $n$ [U] (often cap.) a political system in which all industrial activity is controlled by the state, no political opposition is allowed, military strength is approved of, support of one's own nation and race is strongly encouraged, and SOCIALISM is violently opposed
**fas-cist** /'fæʃɪst/ $n$, $adj \mathbf{1}$ (often cap.) (a supporter) of fascism $2$ *derog* (someone) acting in a cruel, hard, rather military way which allows no (political) opposition: *As the riot police advanced the students shouted, 'Leave us alone, you fascist pigs!'*
**fash·ion$^1$** /'fæʃən/ $n \mathbf{1}$ [C;U] the way of dressing or behaving that is usual or popular at a certain time: *Fashions have changed since I was a girl. | It's not the fashion to send children away to school now. | a fashion show (=of clothes) | a fashion house (=company that produces clothes) | Long hair is out of/in fashion (=not considered very modern) now. | My teenage daughter is very fashion-conscious.* **2** [U] changing custom, especially in women's clothing: *a book about the history of fashion* **3** [$S$] *rather fml* a manner; way of making or doing something: *The children lined up in an orderly fashion.* **4 after a fashion** although not very well: *John can speak Russian, after a fashion, but can't read it at all.* **5 -fashion** in the way of a; like a: *to dress schoolboy-fashion | to eat Italian-fashion*
**fashion$^2$** $v$ [T(out of, from, into)] *fml* to shape or make, usually with one's hands or with only a few tools: *Taking some branches and leaves, he fashioned a simple shelter. | She fashioned the pot out of clay/fashioned the clay into a pot. | (fig.) Many influences help to fashion our children's characters.*
**fash·ion·a·ble** /'fæʃənəbəl/ $adj \mathbf{1}$ (made, dressed etc) according to the latest fashion: *a fashionable hat/woman | It's fashionable among the British to go to the south of France for their holidays.* **2** of or for people of high social position or people who make or decide upon fashion: *fashionable society | a fashionable restaurant | She moves in fashionable circles.* (=has connections with people of high social standing) $\rightarrow$ opposite UNFASHIONABLE; see also OLD-FASHIONED **--ably** *adv*: *fashionably dressed*
**'fashion ,plate** $n$ *AmE sometimes derog* a person who thinks it very important to dress in the latest fashion
**'fashion ,statement** $n$ something that you own or wear that is considered new or different, and that is intended to make other people notice you: *Mobile phones make a big fashion statement.*
**'fashion ,victim** $n$ *infml* someone who always wears what is fashionable even if it makes them look bad
**Fass·bin·der, Rai·ner Wer·ner** /'fæsbɪndə, 'raɪnə 'veənə || 'wɜ:rnər/ (1946-82) a German writer, actor, and film DIRECTOR, known for making films dealing with political and social subjects. His films include *The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972)* and *The Marriage of Maria Braun (1979).*
**fast$^1$** /fɑːst || fæst/ $adj \mathbf{1}$ quick; moving or able to move quickly: *a fast car | the fast train to New York (=one that travels fast and stops at few stations) | the fast growth of the oil industry | fast music | a fast runner* $\rightarrow$ see FASTNESS (USAGE) **2** taking a short time compared to other people or things: *a fast journey* **3** firmly fixed and unlikely to move or change: *The colours aren't fast, so be careful when you wash* *these towels. | The label says this shirt is colour fast. | He made the rope fast (=tied it firmly) to the metal ring.* **4** [$F$; after $n$] (of a clock) showing a time that is later than the true time: *My watch is fast/is five minutes fast.* **5** having or being a high photographic speed: *a fast lens | a fast film* **6** [$A$] allowing quick movement: *There had been an accident in the fast lane of the highway. | a fast pitch | Cook it in a fast (=very hot) oven.* **7** *old-fash* wanting too much pleasure and spending too much money: *James belongs to a very fast set at college.* **8 fast and furious** (especially of games and amusements) noisy and active **9 pull a fast one (on)** *infml* to deceive (someone) with a trick $\rightarrow$ see also FASTNESS, SPEED, FAST FOOD, FAST LANE
**fast$^2$** *adv* **1** quickly: *She drives very fast. | Their population is growing fast.* **2** firmly; tightly: *The car was stuck fast in the mud.* **3** ahead of a correct time: *The train's running five minutes fast.* **4** *old use* close; near: *a brook fast by* **5 fast asleep** sleeping deeply **6 play fast and loose with** *old-fash* to treat in a selfishly careless way $\rightarrow$ see also thick and fast (THICK$^2$)
**fast$^3$** $v$ [I] to eat little or no food for a particular length of time, especially for religious reasons: *Muslims fast during Ramadan.*
**fast$^4$** $n$ an act or period of fasting: *Friday is a fast day. | He broke his fast by drinking some milk.*
**fast·back** /'fɑːstbæk || 'fæst-/ $n$ *AmE* a car with a long sloping rear window and usually only two doors
**fast·ball** /'fɑːstbɔ:l || 'fæst-/ $n$ a ball that is thrown very quickly towards the BATTER in a game of BASEBALL
**,fast ,breeder re'actor** $n$ a NUCLEAR REACTOR which produces more FISSILE material than it needs to produce electricity
**,fast 'coloureds** $n$ [P] *BrE* coloured clothes which will not lose or change colour when washed in a WASHING MACHINE
**fas·ten** /'fɑːsən || 'fæs-/ $v$ [I;T] to make or become firmly fixed or closed: *The bag won't fasten properly. | He fastened his coat. | Fasten your seat belts. | I fastened the pages together with a paperclip. | She fastened the notice to the board. | She fastened the loose edge down with some glue. | He fastened on his sword/fastened his sword on. | (fig.) She fastened her eyes on him. | (fig.) Don't try and fasten the blame on me.* $\rightarrow$ opposite UNFASTEN
**fasten on/onto/upon sthg.** *phr v* [T] to take eagerly and use; seize on: *The president fastened on the idea at once.*
| fastener |
| :--: |
| ![zip] zip BrE/ zipper AmE | ![button] button |
| ![toggle] toggle | ![buckle] buckle |
| ![press stud] press stud BrE/ snap fastener AmE | ![velcro] velcro | ![hook and eye] hook and eye |
**fas·ten·er** /'fɑːsənə || 'fæ-/ $n$ something that fastens things together: *Could you do up the fasteners on the back of my dress, please.* $\rightarrow$ see also ZIP$^1$
**fas·ten·ing** /'fɑːsənɪŋ || 'fæ-/ $n$ something that holds things shut, especially doors and windows
**'fast food** $n$ [U] food such as HAMBURGERS and cooked chicken that is quickly and easily prepared, and sold by a restaurant to be eaten at once or taken away: *a well-known chain of fast-food restaurants*