Fast \Fast\, n. [OE. faste, fast; cf. AS. f[ae]sten, OHG. fasta,
G. faste. See Fast, v. i.]
1. Abstinence from food; omission to take nourishment.
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Surfeit is the father of much fast. --Shak.
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2. Voluntary abstinence from food, for a space of time, as a
spiritual discipline, or as a token of religious
humiliation.
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3. A time of fasting, whether a day, week, or longer time; a
period of abstinence from food or certain kinds of food;
as, an annual fast.
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Fast day, a day appointed for fasting, humiliation, and
religious offices as a means of invoking the favor of God.
To break one's fast, to put an end to a period of
abstinence by taking food; especially, to take one's
morning meal; to breakfast. --Shak.
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