SWIFTERS

Noun

swifters

plural of swifter

Verb

swifters

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of swifter

Source: Wiktionary


SWIFTER

Swift"er, n. Etym: [Cf. Swivel.] (Naut.) (a) A rope used to retain the bars of the capstan in their sockets while men are turning it. (b) A rope used to encircle a boat longitudinally, to strengthen and defend her sides. (c) The forward shroud of a lower mast.

Swift"er, v. t. (Naut.)

Definition: To tighten, as slack standing rigging, by bringing the opposite shrouds nearer.

SWIFT

Swift, a. [Compar. Swifter; superl. Swiftest.] Etym: [AS. swift; akin to swapan to sweep, swipu a whip; cf. swifan to move quickly, to revolve. See Swoop, v. i., and cf. Swivel, Squib.]

1. Moving a great distance in a short time; moving with celerity or velocity; fleet; rapid; quick; speedy; prompt. My beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. James i. 19. Swift of dispatch and easy of access. Dryden. And bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Pet. ii. 1.

2. Of short continuance; passing away quickly. Shak.

Note: Swift is often used in the formation of compounds which are generally self-explaining; as, swift-darting, swift-footed, swift- winged, etc.

Syn.

– Quick; fleet; speedy; rapid; expeditious.

Swift, adv.

Definition: Swiftly. [Obs. or Poetic] Shak. Ply swift and strong the oar. Southey.

Swift, n.

1. The current of a stream. [R.] Walton.

2. (Zoöl.)

Definition: Any one of numerous species of small, long-winged, insectivorous birds of the family Micropodidæ. In form and habits the swifts resemble swallows, but they are destitute of complex vocal muscles and are not singing birds, but belong to a widely different group allied to the humming birds.

Note: The common European swift (Cypselus, or Micropus, apus) nests in church steeples and under the tiles of roofs, and is noted for its rapid flight and shrill screams. It is called also black martin, black swift, hawk swallow, devil bird, swingdevil, screech martin, and shreik owl. The common American, or chimney, swift (Chætura pelagica) has sharp rigid tips to the tail feathers. It attaches its nest to the inner walls of chimneys, and is called also chimney swallow. The Australian swift (Chætura caudacuta) also has sharp naked tips to the tail quills. The European Alpine swift (Cypselus melba) is whitish beneath, with a white band across the breast. The common Indian swift is Cypselus affinis. See also Palm swift, under Palm, and Tree swift, under Tree.

3. (Zoöl.)

Definition: Any one of several species of lizards, as the pine lizard.

4. (Zoöl.)

Definition: The ghost moth. See under Ghost.

5. Etym: [Cf. Swivel.]

Definition: A reel, or turning instrument, for winding yarn, thread, etc.;

– used chiefly in the plural.

6. The main card cylinder of a flax-carding machine.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

3 June 2024

CHAIRLIFT

(noun) a ski lift on which riders (skiers or sightseers) are seated and carried up or down a mountainside; seats are hung from an endless overhead cable


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

According to Guinness World Records, the most massive cup of coffee contained 22,739.14 liters and was created by Alcaldía Municipal de Chinchiná (Colombia) at Parque de Bolívar, Chinchiná, Caldas, Colombia, on 15 June 2019. Fifty people worked for more than a month to build this giant cup. The drink prepared was Arabic coffee.

coffee icon