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Godspeed

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: godspeed, God-speed, and God speed

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Middle English God spede, short for God spede þe, God spede yow, etc., from God + spede, singular subjunctive form of speden (to help, further, cause to prosper), equivalent to God +‎ speed. Compare God bless, God damn.

Pronunciation

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Interjection

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Godspeed

  1. (literary) Used, especially at a parting, to express the wish that the outcome of a person's actions be positive for them; typically said to someone who is about to start a journey or a daring endeavour.
    Synonyms: all the best, (archaic) fare thee well, farewell, goodbye, good luck
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Translations

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See also

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Noun

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Godspeed (countable and uncountable, plural Godspeeds) (literary)

  1. (uncountable) The wishing of someone a smooth journey, or success, especially at a parting; (countable) a statement expressing this.
  2. (countable, figuratively)
    1. (archaic) Chiefly in in the Godspeed of: the most important part of something, or point at which something happens; also, the last minute or last moment.
    2. (originally Ireland) In back of Godspeed: a distant, remote, or unknown place.
      Synonym: back of beyond
      • 1858, Anthony Trollope, “Frank Gresham’s First Speech”, in Doctor Thorne. [], volume I, London: Chapman & Hall, [], →OCLC, page 124:
        If I don't leave you at the back of God-speed before long, I'll give you the mare and the horse too.
      • 1908 (date written), [George] Bernard Shaw, “Getting Married”, in The Doctor’s Dilemma, Getting Married, & The Shewing-Up of Blanco Posnet, London: Constable and Company, published 1911, →OCLC, page 278:
        mrs george. I have earned the right to speak. I have dared: I have gone through: I have not fallen withered into the fire: I have come at last out beyond, to the back of Godspeed. / the bishop. And what do you see there, at the back of Godspeed?

Translations

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Further reading

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