n.
Pronunciation: v ə - ' lä-s ə -t ē , - ' läs-t ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ties
Etymology: Middle French velocité, from Latin velocitat-, velocitas, from veloc-, velox quick; probably akin to Latin veg ē re to enliven ― more at WAKE
Date: 15th century
1 a : quickness of motion : SPEED <the velocity of sound> b : rapidity of movement < [ my horse's ] strong suit is grace & personal comeliness, rather than velocity ― Mark Twain> c : speed imparted to something <the power pitcher relies on velocity ― Tony Scherman>
2 : the rate of change of position along a straight line with respect to time : the derivative of position with respect to time
3 a : rate of occurrence or action : RAPIDITY <the velocity of historical change ― R. J. Lifton> b : rate of turnover <the velocity of money>