/ ˈræpɪd; NAmE / adjective
1.
[ usually before noun ] happening in a short period of time :
rapid change / expansion / growth
a rapid rise / decline in sales
The patient made a rapid recovery .
2.
done or happening very quickly :
a rapid pulse / heartbeat
The guard fired four shots in rapid succession.
The disease is spreading at a rapid rate.
➡ note at fast
► rap·id·ity / rəˈpɪdəti; NAmE / noun [ U ]:
the rapidity of economic growth
The disease is spreading with alarming rapidity.
► rap·id·ly adverb :
a rapidly growing economy
Crime figures are rising rapidly.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from Latin rapidus , from rapere take by force.