The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
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My beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, slow to wrath. --James i. 19.
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Swift of dispatch and easy of access. --Dryden.
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And bring upon themselves swift destruction. --2
Pet. ii. 1.
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2. Of short continuance; passing away quickly. --Shak.
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Note: Swift is often used in the formation of compounds which
are generally self-explaining; as, swift-darting,
swift-footed, swift-winged, etc.
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Syn: Quick; fleet; speedy; rapid; expeditious.
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