swift

n. 褐雨燕

adj. 快的；迅速的；敏捷的；立刻的

adv. 迅速地

n. (Swift)人名；(英)斯威夫特

中文词源

swift 迅速的，敏捷的

来自古英语 swift,快速的，来自 Proto-Germanic*swiftaz,快速的，来自 PIE*sweip,缠绕，弯曲，来自 PIE*swei,弯，转，摇摆，词源同 swing,sweep.引申诸相关词义。

swift: swift: [OE] The etymological meaning of swift appears to be ‘moving along a course’; ‘speed’ is a secondary development. It goes back ultimately to the prehistoric Germanic base *swei- ‘swing, bend’, which also produced English sweep, swivel [14], and the long defunct swive ‘copulate with’ (a descendant of Old English swīfan ‘move in a course’). Its use as a name for the fast-flying swallow-like bird dates from the 17th century.
=> sweep, swivel
swift (adj.): Old English swift "moving quickly," perhaps originally "turning quickly," from Proto-Germanic swip- (see swivel (n.)). Related: Swiftly; swiftness.
swift (n.): type of bird (several species of the family Cypselidæ, resembling swallows), 1660s, from swift (adj.) in reference to its swift flight. Regarded as a bird of ill-omen, if not downright demonic, probably for its shrill cry. The name earlier had been given to several small fast lizards (1520s).

1. sweep => swift.2. 表现的是一种“秋风扫落叶”般的快速、迅速、敏捷。3. 一扫而光。

1. He is very sharp, a quick thinker and swift with repartee.: 他非常机敏，反应很快，并且能说会道。

2. Jaegers are swift black birds with long forked tails.: 贼鸥是飞行速度很快的黑色鸟类，尾部长而分叉。