Dictionary entry

Speed (2)

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Speed (spēd), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Sped (spĕd), Speeded; p. pr. & vb. n.Speeding.] [AS. spēdan, fr. spēd, n.; akin to D. spoeden, G. sich sputen. See Speed, n.] 1. To go; to fare.

To warn him now he is too farre sped. Remedy of Love.

2. To experience in going; to have any condition, good or ill; to fare. Shak.

Ships heretofore in seas like fishes sped;

The mightiest still upon the smallest fed. Waller.

3. To fare well; to have success; to prosper.

Save London, and send true lawyers their meed!

For whoso wants money with them shall not speed! Lydgate.

I told ye then he should prevail, and speed

On his bad errand. Milton.

4. To make haste; to move with celerity.

I have speeded hither with the very extremest inch of possibility. Shak.

5. To be expedient. Wyclif (2 Cor. xii. 1.)