Part 631

Speed, v. t. 1. To cause to be successful, or to prosper; hence, to aid; to favor. "Fortune speed us!" Shak.

With rising gales that speed their happy flight.

Dryden.

2. To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to drive at full speed; hence, to hasten; to hurry.

He sped him thence home to his habitation.

Fairfax.

3. To hasten to a conclusion; to expedite.

Judicial acts . . . are sped in open court at the instance of one or both of the parties.

Ayliffe.

4. To hurry to destruction; to put an end to; to ruin; to undo. "Sped with spavins." Shak.

A dire dilemma! either way I 'm sped. If foes, they write, if friends, they read, me dead.

Pope.

5. To wish success or god fortune to, in any undertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey.

Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.

Pope.

God speed you, them, etc., may God speed you; or, may you have good speed.

Syn. -- To dispatch; hasten; expedite; accelerate; hurry.

Speed"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, speeds.

2. (Spinning) A machine for drawing and twisting slivers to form rovings.

Speed"ful (?), a. Full of speed (in any sense). [Obs.]

Speed"ful*ly, adv. In a speedful manner. [Obs.]

Speed"i*ly (?), adv. In a speedy manner.

Speed"i*ness, n. The quality or state of being speedy.

Speed"less, a. Being without speed.

Speed"well (?), n. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Veronica, mostly low herbs with pale blue corollas, which quickly fall off.

Speed"y (-), a. [Compar. Speedier (?); superl. Speediest.] [AS. spdyg.] Not dilatory or slow; quick; swift; nimble; hasty; rapid in motion or performance; as, a speedy flight; on speedy foot.

I will wish her speedy strength.

Shak.