swifter

English

Etymology 1

Adjective

swifter

1. comparative form of swift: more swift

Etymology 2

Compare swivel.

Noun

swifter (plural swifters)

1. (nautical) A rope used to retain the bars of the capstan in their sockets while it is being turned.
2. (nautical) A rope used to encircle a boat longitudinally, to strengthen and defend her sides.
3. (nautical) The forward shroud of a lower mast.

Verb

swifter (third-person singular simple present swifters, present participle swiftering, simple past and past participle swiftered)

1. (nautical, transitive) To tighten (e.g. slack standing rigging) by bringing the opposite shrouds nearer.