English Explanatory Dictionary

avast

English dictionary entry

Meanings

intj
  1. Hold fast!; cease!; stop!
  2. In imitation of pirates: listen!; pay attention!

Pronunciation

/əˈvɑːst/ /-ˈvæst/ /əˈvæst/ En-au-avast.ogg

Word forms

avast

Etymology

Probably borrowed from Dutch hou vast, houd vast (“hold fast!”), from houd (imperative of houden, “to hold”) + vast (“fast, firm, tight”). Doublet of hold fast.

Synonyms

avast! cut it out! enough! give it a break! halt! have done! hold! hold fast! knock it off! leave off! not so fast! soft stay! stop [⇒ thesaurus]! whoa! desist stay avast [⇒ thesaurus]! beware! blackfriars! cave! cheese it! heads up! hey up! hist! look lively! look out! look sharp! mind out! namous! take care! ware! watch it! watch out!

Related words

desist
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