Hastening Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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hastening
[ˈheɪs(ə)nɪŋ ]
Definitions
action
Hastening refers to the act of hurrying or speeding up a process or action.
Synonyms
accelerate, expedite, quicken.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| hastening |
Used when referring to the act of making something happen sooner, often in a general or non-technical context.
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| accelerate |
Commonly used in technical or scientific contexts, or when referring to increasing speed.
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| expedite |
Often used in formal contexts, especially in business or administrative settings, to mean making a process or task happen faster.
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| quicken |
Usually used in literary or emotional contexts to describe making something faster or bringing it to life.
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Examples of usage
- The workers were hastening to finish the project before the deadline.
- She was hastening her steps to catch the last bus home.
time
Hastening can also refer to the speeding up or acceleration of time.
Synonyms
acceleration, quickness, speeding up.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| hastening |
Appropriate for formal or literary contexts where there is an urgency or need to speed up a process or event.
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| acceleration |
Commonly used in scientific or technical contexts to describe an increase in speed or rate of something, particularly in physics or economics.
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| quickness |
This word is more general and can be used to describe the speed or swiftness of an action, not necessarily referring to an increase.
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| speeding up |
Casual and often used in everyday language to describe the act of making something faster.
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Examples of usage
- The hastening of time seemed to make the days fly by.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Literature
- In Shakespeare's play 'Romeo and Juliet', the theme of hastening appears as characters rush into decisions, affecting their fates.
- Hastening can be a central theme in many stories where time is of the essence, driving plots to their climaxes.
- Famous authors often explore the consequences of hastening decisions, illustrating how it can lead to both success and downfall.
Psychology
- Studies show that people who are often in a hurry can experience more stress, impacting their mental health.
- The phenomenon of 'hurry sickness' refers to an overwhelming sense of urgency that can affect life satisfaction.
- Hastening can lead to errors in judgment, as quick decisions may overlook important details.
Science
- In physics, hastening is analogous to acceleration, where a change in speed over time is a crucial concept.
- Biologically, certain processes, like cellular reactions, can be hastened by increasing temperature or using catalysts.
- In technology, advancements often hasten the pace of social change, prompting rapid adaptations in society.
Pop Culture
- Songs about being in a hurry often reflect on themes of love, life changes, and seizing the moment.
- Movies frequently depict characters hastening towards a goal, whether it's winning a race or escaping danger.
- Popular media often romanticizes hastening, portraying it as a desirable trait in characters striving for their dreams.
Origin of 'hastening'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Old English 'hæstan', which means to hurry or act quickly.
- It shares roots with the Middle Dutch 'hasten' and the Old High German 'hastōn', reflecting a long history of speed-related terms across languages.
- The suffix '-ing' indicates the action is ongoing, emphasizing the continuous nature of the speed.
The word 'hastening' originates from the Middle English word 'hasten', which in turn comes from the Old French 'haster' meaning 'to hurry'. The concept of hastening has been present in various cultures and languages throughout history, reflecting the universal human experience of the desire to speed up processes or actions.