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).
实用例句
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。
来自柯林斯例句
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。
来自柯林斯例句
3. He is a stupendously swift writer.
他是个非常多产的作家。
来自柯林斯例句
4. With a swift movement, Matthew Jerrold sat upright.
