adj., swift·er, swift·est.
- Moving or capable of moving with great speed; fast. See synonyms at fast1.
- Coming, occurring, or accomplished quickly; instant: a swift retort.
- Quick to act or react; prompt: swift to take steps.
Swiftly. Often used in combination: swift-running.
n.
- A cylinder on a carding machine.
- A reel used to hold yarn as it is being wound off.
- Any of various small dark insect-eating birds of the family Apodidae, related to the hummingbirds and noted for their long strong wings and swift flight.
- Any of various small, fast-moving North American lizards of the genera Sceloporus and Uta.
[Middle English, from Old English.]
swiftly swift'ly adv.swiftness swift'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
