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v. has·tened, has·ten·ing, has·tens v.intr. To move or act swiftly. See Synonyms at speed. v.tr. 1. To cause to move or act swiftly: The guard hastened him out of the room. 2. To cause to happen sooner than otherwise would be the case: negotiations that hastened the end of the war. 3. To speed up; accelerate: fanned the wet paint to hasten drying. |
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