definer in []s, votes follow..

a) [obs.] to fasten, make firm (from OE fauste, fixed, firm) [ron o.] etaoin, ASp, RC

b) a measurement of solid volume approx. equal to a cup (8 ounces); obs. ME faust meaning "fist" [ASp]

c) a Slovakian term referring to a visitor from the spirit world (specific to the southern region) [maverick] JohnHawaii

d) the maximum level of hurricane winds [consuelo] maahey

e) a spring-loaded compression device used to secure shoelaces without the need to knot the laces [JohnH]

f) to pronounce guilty of criminal charges [Wordwind]

g) OE for a sumptuous meal, often of multiple courses [wofa] Jackie,

h) the initial burst of flame, from the burner, into the mouth of a hot air balloon that results in complete distension of the balloon envelope and lift-off [maahey] consuelo, WO’N, dxb

i) extremely prolific writer (from Frederic Faust Amer. writer. 1892-1943) [dxb] wofa

j) to play as card of the wrong suit, esp. in whist-type games where one has to follow suit if possible [Rhuby] musick, Wordwind

k) the chemical compound made up of Fluorine, Gold, Silicon and Tellurium; named not only for the chemist who discovered it, but for the elements it contains [Tross]

l) [rare] happy, lucky (from L. faustus) [OED2] maverick, Bingley

m) the distinctive smell of a room that has been lived in for too long without the windows having been opened [Bingley]

n) a slang term, common in the US in the 1950's, used to describe customized automobiles designed for drag racing [musick]

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fourteen votes cast, 3 by non-players; Bingley and mav got it right. so the updated point totals which count towards the hogwash gold mettle® are:

maverick	4pts
maahey	        5
ron o.		5
RhubyC	        4
Bingley	        2
consuelo	2
dxb		2
wofa            1

comments:
1) Jackie, etaoin, WO’N – next time submit a def’n; this competition is wide open (that goes for you too, Max).
2) “the initial burst of flame... that results in complete distension of the balloon envelope” -- if you’ve ever watched a balloon being inflated, this doesn’t really describe the process; it is long, slow and gradual (and usually involves a very big fan).
http://www.ventry.com/Balloon.htm
3) the “cleverness beyond words” citation goes to Tross for FAuST; and musick wins the “back to the 50s” award, along with wofa’s heart.