— swiftly , adv. — swiftness , n.
/swift/ , adj., swifter, swiftest , adv. , n.
adj.
1. moving or capable of moving with great speed or velocity; fleet; rapid: a swift ship.
2. coming, happening, or performed quickly or without delay: a swift decision.
3. quick or prompt to act or respond: swift to jump to conclusions.
4. Slang. quick to perceive or understand; smart; clever: You can't cheat him, he's too swift.
adv.
5. swiftly.
n.
6. any of numerous long-winged, swallowlike birds of the family Apodidae, related to the hummingbirds and noted for their rapid flight.
7. See tree swift .
8. See spiny lizard .
9. Also called swift moth, ghost moth . any of several brown or gray moths, the males of which are usually white, of the family Hepialidae, noted for rapid flight.
10. an adjustable device upon which a hank of yarn is placed in order to wind off skeins or balls.
11. the main cylinder on a machine for carding flax.
[ bef. 900; ME (adj. and adv.), OE (adj.); akin to OE swifan to revolve, ON svifa to rove; see SWIVEL ]
Syn. 1. speedy. See quick. 2. expeditious.