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   Speed

   /spēd/

   

   noun

   • 1. the rate at which someone or something is able to move or operate: "we turned onto the runway and began to gather speed" Similar ratepacetempomomentum
   • ▪ rapidity of movement or action: "the accident was due to excessive speed" Similar rapidityswiftnessspeedinessalacrityquicknessfastnesscelerityvelocitydispatchpromptnessimmediacyexpeditiousnessexpeditionbrisknesssharpnesshastehurryhurriednessprecipitatenessaccelerationinformal:lickclipliterary:fleetnessrare:alacritousnessOpposite slownessdilatoriness
   • ▪ the rate at which something happens or is done: "they were bemused by the speed of events"
   • ▪ something that matches one's tastes or inclinations: informal "oak tables and chairs are more his speed"
   • 2. each of the possible gear ratios of a bicycle or motor vehicle.
   • 3. the light-gathering power or f-number of a camera lens.
   • ▪ the duration of a photographic exposure.
   • ▪ the sensitivity of photographic film to light.
   • 4. an amphetamine drug, especially methamphetamine. informal
   • 5. success; prosperity: archaic "wish me good speed"

   verb

   • 1. move quickly: "I got into the car and home we sped" Similar hurryracerunsprintdashboltdartrushhastenhurtlecareerstreakshootwhizzoomgo like lightninggo hell for leatherspank alongbowl alongrattle alongwhirlwhooshbuzzswoopflashblastchargestampedegallopsweephareflywingscurryscudscutterscrambleinformal:beltpelttearhotfoot itzapzipwhipscootscorchburn rubbergo like a bat out of hellbombbucketshiftput one's foot downgo like the clappersleg itwheechclipboogiehightailbarrellay rubberget the lead outvulgar slang:drag/tear/haul assliterary:fleetarchaic:posthierare:driveOpposite amblestroll
   • ▪ (of a motorist) travel at a speed that is greater than the legal limit: "the car that crashed was speeding" Similar drive too fastexceed the speed limitbreak the speed limit
   • 2. make prosperous or successful: archaic "may God speed you"
   • 3. take or be under the influence of an amphetamine drug: informal "more kids than ever are speeding, tripping, and getting stoned"

   Word Origin Old Englishspēd (noun), spēdan (verb), from the Germanic base of Old English spōwan ‘prosper, succeed’, a sense reflected in early usage.

   Derivatives

   • 1. speeder noun

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • S

     1

   • P

     3

   • E

     1

   • E

     1

   • D

     2

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