\Swift\, a. [Compar. {Swifter}; superl. {Swiftest}.] [AS.
swift; akin to sw[=a]pan to sweep, swipu a whip; cf.
sw[=i]fan 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.
Swiftly. [Obs. or Poetic] --Shak.
      Ply swift and strong the oar.            --Southey.

\Swift\, n.
1. The current of a stream. [R.] --Walton.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small,
   long-winged, insectivorous birds of the family
   {Micropodid[ae]}. 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 ({Ch[ae]tura 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 ({Ch[ae]tura
      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. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of lizards, as the
   pine lizard.
4. (Zo["o]l.) The ghost moth. See under {Ghost}.
5. [Cf. {Swivel}.] 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.