Swift word meaning and definition

[noun] common western lizard; seen on logs or rocks
[noun] small plain-colored bird that resembles a swallow and is noted for its rapid flight
[noun] an English satirist born in Ireland (1667-1745)
[noun] United States meat-packer who began the use of refrigerated railroad cars (1839-1903)
[adjective] moving very fast; "fleet of foot"; "the fleet scurrying of squirrels"; "a swift current"; "swift flight of an arrow"; "a swift runner"

\Swift\, a. [Compar. {Swifter}; superl. {Swiftest}.] [AS. swift; akin to sw[=a]pan to sweep, swipu a whip; cf. sw[=i]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. My beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. --James i. 19. Swift of dispatch and easy of access. --Dryden. And bring upon themselves swift destruction. --2 Pet. ii. 1. 2. Of short continuance; passing away quickly. --Shak. Note: Swift is often used in the formation of compounds which are generally self-explaining; as, swift-darting, swift-footed, swift-winged, etc. Syn: Quick; fleet; speedy; rapid; expeditious.
\Swift\, adv. Swiftly. [Obs. or Poetic] --Shak. Ply swift and strong the oar. --Southey.
\Swift\, n. 1. The current of a stream. [R.] --Walton. 2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small, long-winged, insectivorous birds of the family {Micropodid[ae]}. In form and habits the swifts resemble swallows, but they are destitute of complex vocal muscles and are not singing birds, but belong to a widely different group allied to the humming birds. Note: The common European swift ({Cypselus, or Micropus, apus}) nests in church steeples and under the tiles of roofs, and is noted for its rapid flight and shrill screams. It is called also {black martin}, {black swift}, {hawk swallow}, {devil bird}, {swingdevil}, {screech martin}, and {shreik owl}. The common American, or chimney, swift ({Ch[ae]tura pelagica}) has sharp rigid tips to the tail feathers. It attaches its nest to the inner walls of chimneys, and is called also {chimney swallow}. The Australian swift ({Ch[ae]tura caudacuta}) also has sharp naked tips to the tail quills. The European Alpine swift ({Cypselus melba}) is whitish beneath, with a white band across the breast. The common Indian swift is {Cypselus affinis}. See also {Palm swift}, under {Palm}, and {Tree swift}, under {Tree}. 3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of lizards, as the pine lizard. 4. (Zo["o]l.) The ghost moth. See under {Ghost}. 5. [Cf. {Swivel}.] A reel, or turning instrument, for winding yarn, thread, etc.; -- used chiefly in the plural. 6. The main card cylinder of a flax-carding machine.

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