avast
Hold fast! Cease! Stop! Desist!Hold fast! Cease! Stop! Desist!
UK/əˈvɑːst/US/əˈvæst/
Meaning
2 sensesHold fast! Cease! Stop! Desist!
(informal)Listen! Pay attention!
Avast, ye landlubbers!
Origin
Probably borrowed from Dutch hou vast, houd vast (“hold fast!”), from houd (imperative ofProbably borrowed from Dutch hou vast, houd vast (“hold fast!”), from houd (imperative of houden, “to hold”) + vast (“fast, firm, tight”). Doublet of hold fast.
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