speedy

Definition

Proceeding with or characterized by high speed; rapid.

Etymology

From Middle English spedy, spedi, from Old English spēdiġ (“having good speed, lucky, prosperous; having means, wealthy, opulent, rich in material wealth; rich in, abounding in, abundant, plenteous, copious; powerful”), from Proto-Germanic *spōdigaz (“successful, hurried”), equivalent to speed + -y. Cognate with Scots speedy (“speedy”), Dutch spoedig (“speedy, swift, rapid, quick”), German sputig, spudig (“industrious, speedy”).

Example Sentences

• "" Without further parley, upon their knees they fell most devoutly, and for helpe on heaven never ceased extensively to intercessionate God, for his speedie recoverie."
• "They turned out to be speedy machines and earned the sobriquet "Greyhounds", giving excellent performances on the Exeter run."
• "After some quite speedy constructional work the line was opened to traffic on January 2, 1865."

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