| Swift |
v. i. |
Moving a great distance in a short time; moving with celerity or velocity; fleet; rapid; quick; speedy; prompt. |
| Swift |
v. i. |
Of short continuance; passing away quickly. |
| Swift |
adv. |
Swiftly. |
| Swift |
n. |
The current of a stream. |
| Swift |
n. |
Any one of numerous species of small, long-winged, insectivorous birds of the family Micropodidae. In form and habits the swifts resemble swallows, but they are destitute of complex vocal muscles and are not singing birds, but belong to a widely different group allied to the humming birds. |
| Swift |
n. |
Any one of several species of lizards, as the pine lizard. |
| Swift |
n. |
The ghost moth. See under Ghost. |
| Swift |
n. |
A reel, or turning instrument, for winding yarn, thread, etc.;
used chiefly in the plural. |
| Swift |
n. |
The main card cylinder of a flax-carding machine. |
| Swifter |
n. |
A rope used to retain the bars of the capstan in their sockets while men are turning it. |
| Swifter |
n. |
A rope used to encircle a boat longitudinally, to strengthen and defend her sides. |
| Swifter |
n. |
The forward shroud of a lower mast. |
| Swifter |
v. t. |
To tighten, as slack standing rigging, by bringing the opposite shrouds nearer. |
| Swiftfoot |
a. |
Nimble; fleet. |
| Swiftfoot |
n. |
The courser. |
| Swiftlet |
n. |
Any one of numerous species of small East Indian and Asiatic swifts of the genus Collocalia. Some of the species are noted for furnishing the edible bird's nest. See Illust. under Edible. |
| Swiftly |
adv. |
In a swift manner; with quick motion or velocity; fleetly. |
| Swiftness |
n. |
The quality or state of being swift; speed; quickness; celerity; velocity; rapidity; as, the swiftness of a bird; the swiftness of a stream; swiftness of descent in a falling body; swiftness of thought, etc. |
