A device or mechanism used to attach, close, or secure two or more objects together. Common examples include buttons, zippers, screws, and clips.
From Middle English 'fasten' plus the suffix '-er,' derived from Old Norse 'festa' meaning 'to make firm.' The word evolved from the concept of making something fast or secure, with the agent suffix added in the 14th century.
The humble fastener represents one of humanity's most essential innovations - without these simple devices, everything from clothing to architecture would be impossible. The zipper alone wasn't perfected until 1913, revolutionizing fashion and making modern clothing practical.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.