swift
pronunciation
How to pronounce swift in British English:
UK [swɪft]
How to pronounce swift in American English:
US [swɪft]
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- Noun:
- small plain-colored bird that resembles a swallow and is noted for its rapid flight
- common western lizard; seen on logs or rocks
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- Adjective:
- moving very fast
Word Origin
- swift
- swift: [OE] The etymological meaning of swift appears to be ‘moving along a course’; ‘speed’ is a secondary development. It goes back ultimately to the prehistoric Germanic base *swei- ‘swing, bend’, which also produced English sweep, swivel [14], and the long defunct swive ‘copulate with’ (a descendant of Old English swīfan ‘move in a course’). Its use as a name for the fast-flying swallow-like bird dates from the 17th century.=> sweep, swivel
- swift (adj.)
- Old English swift "moving quickly," perhaps originally "turning quickly," from Proto-Germanic swip- (see swivel (n.)). Related: Swiftly; swiftness.
- swift (n.)
- type of bird (several species of the family Cypselidæ, resembling swallows), 1660s, from swift (adj.) in reference to its swift flight. Regarded as a bird of ill-omen, if not downright demonic, probably for its shrill cry. The name earlier had been given to several small fast lizards (1520s).
Antonym
Example
- 1. Hence the republican demand for swift and deep cuts .
- 2. Farmers are rightly proud of their swift embrace of innovation .
- 3. What we need now is another jonathan swift .
- 4. The victory was swift , but the occupation was chaotic .
- 5. His swift demise put a damper on such hopes .