rapid

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: speedy

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a part of a river where the current is very fast

Adjective (2)

  1. done or occurring in a brief period of time“a rapid rise through the ranks”
  2. characterized by speed; moving with or capable of moving with high speed“a rapid movement”“a speedy car”“a speedy errand boy”Synonyms: speedy
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Rapid \Rap"id\ (r[a^]p"[i^]d), a. [L. rapidus, fr. rapere to seize and carry off, to snatch or hurry away; perhaps akin to Gr. 'arpa`zein: cf. F. rapide. Cf. Harpy, Ravish.] [1913 Webster]

1.Very swift or quick; moving with celerity; fast; as, a rapid stream; a rapid flight; a rapid motion. [1913 Webster]

Ascend my chariot; guide the rapid wheels.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

2.Advancing with haste or speed; speedy in progression; in quick sequence; as, rapid growth; rapid improvement; rapid recurrence; rapid succession. [1913 Webster]

3.Quick in execution; as, a rapid penman. [1913 Webster] Rapid

Rapid \Rap"id\, Rapids \Rap"ids\(r[a^]p"[i^]dz), n. [Cf. F. rapide. See Rapid, a.] The part of a river where the current moves with great swiftness, but without actual waterfall or cascade; sometimes called whitewater; -- usually used in the plural; as, the Lachine rapids in the St. Lawrence. For boaters on the river, it is a place that can be hazardous, with danger of capsizing or crashing into large rocks. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Row, brothers, row, the stream runs fast, The rapids are near, and the daylight's past. --Moore. [1913 Webster] Rapid-fire

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