speed

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a rate, usually rapid, at which something happens

   The project advanced with gratifying speed.

2. 2
   verb

   move very fast

   The runner zipped past us at breakneck speed

3. 3
   verb

   travel at an excessive or illegal velocity

   I got a ticket for speeding

4. 4
   noun

   The state of moving quickly or the capacity for rapid motion.

   How does Usain Bolt run at that speed?

5. 5
   noun

   The 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.

6. 6
   noun

   Amphetamine 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.

7. 7
   noun

   Luck, success, prosperity.

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

8. 8
   noun

   Personal preference.

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

Etymology

From Middle English sped (“prosperity, good luck, quickness, success”), from Old English spēd (“success”), from Proto-West Germanic *spōdi (“prosperity, success”), from Proto-West Germanic *spōan, from Proto-Germanic *spōaną (“to prosper, succeed, be happy”), from Proto-Indo-European *speh₁- (“to prosper, turn out well”). Cognate with Scots spede, speid (“success, quickness, speed”), Dutch spoed (“haste; speed”), German Low German Spood (“haste; speed; eagerness; success”), German Sput (“progress, acceleration, haste”). Related also to Old English spōwan (“to be successful, succeed”), Albanian…