3 definitions found From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: Swift \Swift\ (sw[i^]ft), a. [Compar. {Swifter} (sw[i^]ft"[~e]r); superl. {Swiftest}.] [AS. swift; akin to sw[=a]pan to sweep, swipu a whip; cf. sw[imac]fan to move quickly, to revolve. See {Swoop}, v. i., and cf. {Swivel}, {Squib}.] 1. Moving a great distance in a short time; moving with celerity or velocity; fleet; rapid; quick; speedy; prompt. [1913 Webster] My beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. --James i. 19. [1913 Webster] Swift of dispatch and easy of access. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] And bring upon themselves swift destruction. --2 Pet. ii. 1. [1913 Webster] 2. Of short continuance; passing away quickly. --Shak. [1913 Webster] Note: Swift is often used in the formation of compounds which are generally self-explaining; as, swift-darting, swift-footed, swift-winged, etc. [1913 Webster] Syn: Quick; fleet; speedy; rapid; expeditious. [1913 Webster] From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: Swifter \Swift"er\, n. [Cf. {Swivel}.] (Naut.) (a) A rope used to retain the bars of the capstan in their sockets while men are turning it. (b) A rope used to encircle a boat longitudinally, to strengthen and defend her sides. (c) The forward shroud of a lower mast. [1913 Webster] From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: Swifter \Swift"er\, v. t. (Naut.) To tighten, as slack standing rigging, by bringing the opposite shrouds nearer. [1913 Webster]
Powered by Blog Dictionary [BlogDict]
Kindly supported by
Vaffle Invitation Code
Get a Freelance Job - Outsource Your Projects | Threadless Coupon
All rights
reserved. (2008-2024)