spi:d n. & v. --n. 1 rapidity of
movement (with
all speed; at full speed). 2 a rate of
progress or
motion over a
distance in
time (attains a
high speed). 3 a a
gear appropriate to a
range of speeds of a
bicycle. b US or
archaic such a gear in a
motor vehicle. 4 Photog. a
the sensitivity of
film to
light. b the light-gathering
power of a
lens. c the
duration of an
exposure. 5 sl. an
amphetamine drug,
esp.
methamphetamine. 6 archaic
success,
prosperity (send me
good speed). --v. (past
and past part. sped) 1 intr. go fast (sped down the street). 2 (past and past part. speeded) a intr. (of a
motorist etc.)
travel at an
illegal or
dangerous speed. b tr.
regulate the speed of (an
engine etc.). c tr.
cause (an engine etc.) to go at a fixed speed. 3 tr.
send fast or on
its way (speed an
arrow from the bow). 4 intr. & tr. archaic be or
make prosperous or
successful (how
have you sped?;
God speed you!). øat speed
moving quickly. speed
bump (or hump) a
transverse ridge in the road to
control the speed of vehicles. speed
limit the
maximum speed at
which a road vehicle
may legally be
driven in a
particular area etc. speed
merchant colloq. a motorist
who enjoys driving fast. speed up
move or
work at greater speed. speed-up n. an
increase in the speed or rate of
working. øøspeeder n. [OE
sped, spedan f. Gmc]