hastener
(ˈheɪs(ə)nə(r))
[f. prec. + -er1.]
1. One who or that which hastens. Also Services' slang (see quot. 1946).
| 1587 Turberv. Trag. T. (1837) 156 He and..his Queene ..that hastners of King Albyons bane had beene. 1686 A. Snape Anat. Horse iv. xvi. 177 The Muscles..called Acceleratores or Hastners. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 169 ¶7 Pride and indigence, the two great hasteners of modern poems. 1943 C. H. Ward-Jackson Piece of Cake 35 Hastener, a letter asking for a reply to a previous letter. 1946 J. Irving Royal Navalese 92 Hastener, a letter or a ‘Minute’ asking for a reply to some previous correspondence. 1955 Times 12 May 11/4 Those who were once temporary soldiers may recall how they used to send ‘hasteners’ for the stores they wanted. |
2. A stand or screen for concentrating the heat of the fire on a roasting joint of meat; a haster. dial.
| 1847–78 Halliwell, Hastner, same as Haster. 1858 in Simmonds Dict. Trade. 1888 [see haster]. |