Hypertext Webster Gateway: "swifter"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Swift \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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Swifter \Swift"er\, n. [Cf. {Swivel}.] (Naut.)
(a) A rope used to retain the bars of the capstan in their
sockets while men are turning it.
(b) A rope used to encircle a boat longitudinally, to
strengthen and defend her sides.
(c) The forward shroud of a lower mast.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Swifter \Swift"er\, v. t. (Naut.)
To tighten, as slack standing rigging, by bringing the
opposite shrouds nearer.
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