speed

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Translations 1.3.3 Usage notes 1.4 Verb 1.4.1 Quotations 1.4.2 Usage notes 1.4.3 Translations 1.5 Anagrams

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Old English spēd, from Germanic *spodiz. Cognate with Dutch spoed.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /spiːd/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -iːd

[edit] Noun

speed (plural speeds)

1. the state of moving quickly or the capacity for rapid motion; rapidity
2. the rate of motion or action, specifically (mathematics)/(physics) the magnitude of the velocity; the rate distance is traversed in a given time
3. (photography) the sensitivity to light of film, plates.
4. (slang) any amphetamine drug used as a stimulant, especially illegally, especially methamphetamine
5. (archaic) luck, success, prosperity

[edit] Synonyms

• velocity

[edit] Translations

[edit] Usage notes

Units:

• metric:
  • metres/meters per second (m/s)
  • kilometres/kilometers per hour (km/h)
• nautical:
  • knot (kt or kn)
• imperial and U.S. customary:
  • feet per second (ft/s, ft/sec and fps)
  • miles per hour (mph)
• aeronautical:
  • mach

[edit] Verb

to speed (third-person singular simple present speeds, present participle speeding, simple past and past participle sped or speeded)

1. (archaic, intransitive) To succeed; to prosper, be lucky.
   • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book I:

     he and alle his knyghtes haue assayed it and none can spede.

2. (archaic, transitive) To help someone, to give them fortune.

   God speed, until we meet again.

3. To go fast, especially excessively fast.

   The Ferrari was speeding along the road.

4. To exceed the speed limit.

   Why do you speed when the road is so icy?

5. (slang) To be under the influence of stimulant drugs, especially amphetamines.

[edit] Quotations

• For examples of the usage of this term see the citations page.

[edit] Usage notes

The Cambridge Guide to English Usage indicates that sped is for objects in motion (the race car sped) while speeded is used for activities or processes, but notes that the British English convention does not hold in American English.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Anagrams

• deeps
• pedes