Hasten

/ˈheɪsən/ verb

Definition

To move or act with speed; to accelerate the progress or occurrence of something. It implies urgency and the desire to complete an action more quickly than normal.

Etymology

From Old Norse 'hasta' meaning 'violence, speed.' The word entered Middle English through Old French 'haster,' evolving to mean rapid movement or acceleration of processes.

Kelly Says

Hasten is often confused with 'hurry,' but it specifically means to speed up something that's already in motion—you can't hasten something that hasn't started yet! It's like pressing the fast-forward button on life.

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