speed

[[t]spid[/t]]

n. v. sped speed•ed, speed•ing

1) rapidity in moving, traveling, performing, etc.; swiftness

2) relative rate of motion or progress:

the speed of light[/ex]

3) aum a gear ratio in a motor vehicle or bicycle

4) pht

a) the sensitivity of a photographic film or paper to light

b) pht the length of time a shutter is opened to expose film

c) the largest opening at which a lens can be used

5) pha sts Slang. a stimulating drug, esp. methamphetamine or amphetamine

6) cvb inf a person, thing, activity, etc., that suits one's ability, inclinations, or personality:

Quiet, easygoing people are more my speed[/ex]

7) archaic success or prosperity

8) to promote the success of; further, forward, or expedite

9) to direct (the course, way, etc.) with speed

10) to increase the rate of speed of (usu. fol. by up):

to speed up production[/ex]

11) to cause to move or go with speed

12) archaic to cause to succeed or prosper

13) to go or proceed with rapidity

14) to drive a vehicle at a rate that exceeds the legal limit

15) to increase the rate of speed (usu. fol. by up)

16) to get on or fare in a specified or particular manner

17) archaic to succeed or prosper

•

- at full or top speed up to speed

Etymology: bef. 900; (n.) ME spede good luck, prosperity, rapidity, OE spēd, c. OS spōd, OHG spuot speed′er, n. syn: speed, velocity, celerity refer to swift or energetic movement or operation. speed may apply to human or nonhuman activity; it emphasizes the rate in time at which something travels or operates: the speed of an automobile; the speed of thought. velocity, a more technical term, is commonly used to refer to high rates of speed: the velocity of a projectile. celerity, a somewhat literary term, usu. refers to human movement or operation, and emphasizes dispatch or economy in an activity: the celerity of his response.