speed

plural speeds

1. countableuncountableThe state of moving quickly or the capacity for rapid motion.

   How does Usain Bolt run at that speed?

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   Returne with ſpeed, time paſſeth ſwift away, Our life is fraile, and we may dye to day.

   c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene i

   Synonyms: celerity, rapidity, velocity

2. countableuncountablemathematicsThe rate of motion or action, specifically the magnitude of the velocity; the rate distance is traversed in a given time.

   Speed limits provide information to the drivers about the safe speed to travel in average conditions.

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   Train positions and speeds were established by a track magnet at each milepost, which produced a suitable mark on the punched recording tape whenever a train passed.

   1960 December 28, “Talking of Trains: Recording Electric Operation”, in Trains Illustrated, London: Ian Allan Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 707

3. countableuncountableartsThe sensitivity to light of film, plates or sensor.
4. countableuncountableartsThe duration of exposure, the time during which a camera shutter is open (shutter speed).
5. countableuncountableartsThe largest size of the lens opening at which a lens can be used.
6. countableuncountableartsThe ratio of the focal length to the diameter of a photographic objective.
7. slanguncountableAmphetamine or any amphetamine-based drug (especially methamphetamine) used as a stimulant, especially illegally.

   I don’t even like speed. It’s alright if ya wanna stay awake for three days an’ clean yer room, but I’m terrible on no sleep. It just makes me anxious.

   2021, Paris Lees, What it Feels Like for a Girl, Penguin (2022), page 115

   Synonyms: chalk, crank, crystal, crystal meth, fire, glass, go fast, go-fast

8. archaiccountableuncountableLuck, success, prosperity.

   O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Genesis 24:12

   1 more example

   St. Francis be my ſpeed, how oft to night / Haue my old feet ſtumbled at graues?

   c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii], page 76

9. countableslanguncountablePersonal preference.

   We could go to the shore next week, or somewhere else if that's not your speed.

   1 more example

   I used to dream of throwing on the heritage Burberry coat and teaming it with Hunter wellies (which is admittedly a very cute look), but a few years ago I realized an oversize option is actually my speed.

   2024 April 8, Nikki Ogunnaike, “3 Outfit Formulas That Will Carry You Through Any Season”, in Marie Claire

10. uncountablebusinessA third-order measure of derivative price sensitivity, expressed as the rate of change of gamma with respect to changes in the underlying asset price.

    Synonyms: DgammaDspot, gamma of the gamma

1. broadcastingCalled by the soundman when the recording equipment has reached running speed and is ready to go.

   “Speed,” Carlos, the soundman, said. […] “Camera.” “Rolling,” replied Bryce, the cameraman.

   2000, Brian J. Hayes, A Boy Scout in Hollywood, page 30

   1 more example

   […] the director called, “Roll 'em,” the sound man said, “Speed,” and Norling stepped in and said, […]

   2012, Tom Mascaro, Into the Fray, page 52

present singular third person speeds · participle present speeding · participle past sped · past sped · UK participle past speeded · UK past speeded

1. archaicintransitiveTo succeed; to prosper, be lucky.

   18ᵗʰc., Oliver Goldsmith, Introductory to Switzerland At night returning, every labor sped, / He sits him down the monarch of a shed: / Smiles by his cheerful fire, and round surveys, / His children’s looks, that brighten at the blaze;

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   And yf I maye fynde suche a knyghte that hath all these vertues / he may drawe oute this swerd oute of the shethe / for I haue ben at kyng Ryons / it was told me ther were passyng good knyghtes / and he and alle his knyghtes haue assayed it and none can spede

   1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter 1, in Le Morte Darthur, book I

   We have been praying for our husbands' healths, Which speed, we hope, the better for our words. Are they returned?

   c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]

   Aristotle must find out the motion of Euripus; Pliny must needs see Vesuvius; but how sped they? One loseth goods, another his life.

   1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition I, section 2, member 4, subsection vii

2. archaictransitiveTo help someone, to give them fortune; to aid or favour.

   God speed, until we meet again.

   2 more examples

   Fortune speed us! So we set forth to sea

   c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv]

   with rising gales that sped their happy flight

   1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC

3. intransitiveTo go fast.

   The Ferrari was speeding along the road.

   2 more examples

   I have speeded hither with the very extremest inch of possibility.

   c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii]

   With a little manœuvring they contrived to meet on the doorstep which was […] in a boiling stream of passers-by, hurrying business people speeding past in a flurry of fumes and dust in the bright haze.

   1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 10, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC

   Synonyms: zing

4. intransitiveTo exceed the speed limit.

   Why do you speed when the road is so icy?

   1 more example

   It had these very funny, crazy plays in it, and then it had this one story about a traffic cop that falls in love with this very cute girl that’s always speeding.

   1951 July 16, J[erome] D[avid] Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Boston, Mass.: Little, Brown and Company, →OCLC, page 25

5. transitiveTo increase the rate at which something occurs.

   It is possible that the uterine contractions speed the sperm along.

   1982, Carole Offir, Carole Wade, Human sexuality,, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, page 454

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   Such interventions can help to speed the process of reducing CBRs and help countries pass through the demographic transition threshold more quickly[…].

   2004, James M. Cypher, James L. Dietz, The process of economic development, Routledge, page 359

6. intransitiveslangTo be under the influence of stimulant drugs, especially amphetamines.

   Jackie is just speeding away / Thought she was James Dean for a day

   1972, Lou Reed, “Walk on the Wild Side”, in Transformer

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   If Hector had not been speeding, it was possible that his next thought would have hurt: he loves his uncle unconditionally, in a way he will never love me.

   2008, Christos Tsiolkas, The Slap, Allen and Unwin, page 46

7. obsoleteTo be expedient.
8. archaicTo hurry to destruction; to put an end to; to ruin.

   infected with the fashions, full of wingdalls, sped with spavins, rayed with yellows

   c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]

   1 more example

   A dire dilemma! either vvay I'm ſped, / If Foes, they vvrite, if Friends, they read me dead.

   1735 January 13 (Gregorian calendar; indicated as 1734), [Alexander] Pope, An Epistle from Mr. Pope, to Dr. Arbuthnot, London: […] J[ohn] Wright for Lawton Gilliver […], →OCLC, page 2, lines 31–32

9. archaicTo wish success or good fortune to, in any undertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey.

   Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.

   1726, Homer, “Book XV”, in [Alexander Pope], transl., The Odyssey of Homer. […], volume IV, London: […] Bernard Lintot, →OCLC

10. To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to drive at full speed; hence, to hasten; to hurry.

    He sped him thence, home to his habitation.

    1600, [Torquato Tasso], “(please specify |book=1 to 20)”, in Edward Fairefax [i.e., Edward Fairfax], transl., Godfrey of Bulloigne, or The Recouerie of Ierusalem. […], London: […] Ar[nold] Hatfield, for I[saac] Iaggard and M[atthew] Lownes, →OCLC

11. To hasten to a conclusion; to expedite.

    Judicial acts[…]are sped in open court at the instance of one or both of the parties.

    1726, John Ayliffe, Parergon Juris Canonici Anglicani: Or, A Commentary, by Way of Supplement to the Canons and Constitutions of the Church of England. […], London: […] D. Leach, and sold by John Walthoe […], →OCLC

plural Speeds

1. countableuncountableA surname transferred from the nickname.
2. A place in the United States:
   1. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Silver Creek Township, Clark County, Indiana.
   2. countableuncountableA minor city in Phillips County, Kansas.
   3. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Palestine Township, Cooper County, Missouri.
   4. countableuncountableA town in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.
   5. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Roane County, West Virginia.
3. countableuncountableA town in the Shire of Yarriambiack, Victoria, Australia.