Pronunciations
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/spiːd/
Noun
The state of moving quickly or the capacity for rapid motion.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
- Examples
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How does Usain Bolt run at that speed?
Returne with ſpeed, time paſſeth ſwift away, Our life is fraile, and we may dye to day.
The rate of motion or action, specifically the magnitude of the velocity; the rate distance is traversed in a given time.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
- Examples
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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.
The sensitivity to light of film, plates or sensor.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
The duration of exposure, the time during which a camera shutter is open (shutter speed).
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
The largest size of the lens opening at which a lens can be used.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
The ratio of the focal length to the diameter of a photographic objective.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
Amphetamine or any amphetamine-based drug (especially methamphetamine) used as a stimulant, especially illegally.
Usage- Slang
- Uncountable
- Examples
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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.
Luck, success, prosperity.
Usage- Archaic
- Countable
- Uncountable
- Examples
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St. Francis be my ſpeed, how oft to night / Haue my old feet ſtumbled at graues?
O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day.
Personal preference.
Usage- Countable
- Slang
- Uncountable
- Examples
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We could go to the shore next week, or somewhere else if that's not your speed.
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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.
A third-order measure of derivative price sensitivity, expressed as the rate of change of gamma with respect to changes in the underlying asset price.
Usage- Uncountable
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
Interjection
Called by the soundman when the recording equipment has reached running speed and is ready to go.
- Examples
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“Speed,” Carlos, the soundman, said. […] “Camera.” “Rolling,” replied Bryce, the cameraman.
[…] the director called, “Roll 'em,” the sound man said, “Speed,” and Norling stepped in and said, […]
Verb
To succeed; to prosper, be lucky.
Usage- Archaic
- Intransitive
- Examples
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More examples (1)
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
We have been praying for our husbands' healths, Which speed, we hope, the better for our words. Are they returned?
Aristotle must find out the motion of Euripus; Pliny must needs see Vesuvius; but how sped they? One loseth goods, another his life.
More examples (1)
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;
To help someone, to give them fortune; to aid or favour.
Usage- Archaic
- Transitive
- Examples
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God speed, until we meet again.
Fortune speed us! So we set forth to sea
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with rising gales that sped their happy flight
To go fast.
Usage- Intransitive
- Synonyms
- Examples
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The Ferrari was speeding along the road.
I have speeded hither with the very extremest inch of possibility.
More examples (1)
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.
To exceed the speed limit.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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Why do you speed when the road is so icy?
More examples (1)
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.
To increase the rate at which something occurs.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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It is possible that the uterine contractions speed the sperm along.
Such interventions can help to speed the process of reducing CBRs and help countries pass through the demographic transition threshold more quickly[…].
To be under the influence of stimulant drugs, especially amphetamines.
Usage- Intransitive
- Slang
- Examples
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Jackie is just speeding away / Thought she was James Dean for a day
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.
To be expedient.
Usage- Obsolete
To hurry to destruction; to put an end to; to ruin.
Usage- Archaic
- Examples
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infected with the fashions, full of wingdalls, sped with spavins, rayed with yellows
A dire dilemma! either vvay I'm ſped, / If Foes, they vvrite, if Friends, they read me dead.
To wish success or good fortune to, in any undertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey.
Usage- Archaic
- Examples
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Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.
To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to drive at full speed; hence, to hasten; to hurry.
- Examples
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He sped him thence, home to his habitation.
To hasten to a conclusion; to expedite.
- Examples
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Judicial acts[…]are sped in open court at the instance of one or both of the parties.
Noun
distance travelled per unit time
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens
- Examples
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the project advanced with gratifying speed
changing location rapidly
the ratio of the focal length to the diameter of a (camera) lens system
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
a central nervous system stimulant that increases energy and decreases appetite; used to treat narcolepsy and some forms of depression
- Synonyms
Verb
move hurridly
- Synonyms
- Examples
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He rushed down the hall to receive his guests
The cars raced down the street
move faster
- Synonyms
- Examples
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The car accelerated
move very fast
- Synonyms
- Examples
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The runner zipped past us at breakneck pace
travel at an excessive or illegal velocity
- Examples
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I got a ticket for speeding
cause to move faster
- Synonyms
- Examples
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He accelerated the car