Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Drag to rotate
Tracing “”…
Where does the word "avast" come from? It comes from Dutch houd vast, and was adopted directly into English (1680s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "avast" come from? It comes from Dutch houd vast, and was adopted directly into English (1680s).
Avast’s story begins in Dutch: houd vast meant “hold fast.” Literally hold fast, a nautical command to stop or hold firm. It reached English by 1680s as avast. Likely from Dutch 'hou' vast', hold fast. Today, avast means a nautical command meaning stop or cease an action.
- Stage 1 · Dutch · 1600s houd vast "hold fast", literally hold fast, a nautical command to stop or hold firm.
- Stage 2 · English · 1680s avast "a nautical command meaning stop or cease", likely from Dutch 'hou' vast', hold fast.