From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishswiftswift1 /swɪft/ ●○○ adjective1FAST/QUICKhappening or done quickly and immediately
My letter received a swift reply.
She shot a swift glance at Paul.swift to do something
They were swift to deny the accusations.2[only before noun]FAST/QUICK moving, or able to move, very fast
a swift runner
She wiped her tears away in one swift movement.► see thesaurus at fast3 →somebody is not too swift —swiftly adverb
Alice dressed swiftly. —swiftness noun [uncountable]Examples from the Corpusswift• Their victory was swift and decisive.• Punishment of the protesters was swift and severe.• We had to steer our ship through the swiftcurrents of the Bering Straits.• With the hood open he made a swiftexamination of the engine.• Swiftfashion changes mean that the shop has to change its stock every six to eight weeks.• While, at a superficial level, the titles might well mislead, a swiftglance at the contents is reassuring.• With two swiftmotions she pinned him.• But only the swiftest of action will save a woman who's already lost her husband from losing her home as well.• His swiftprogress made a life in music almost inevitable.• The drop was so swift that the engine stalled briefly, then coughed into action.• The horses ran along the track at a swifttrot.swift to do something• They are a wild, free-spirited people, quick-tempered as Elves go, and swift toavenge any stain on their honour.• She loved her lessons, always asking questions, swift to learn, greedy for more information.• A basic condition of joining is the willingness to be arrested, and the authorities have been swift tooblige.Related topics: Birdsswiftswift2 noun [countable]HBBa small brownbird that has pointedwings, flies very fast, and is similar to a swallowExamples from the Corpusswift• These animals are unrivalled for their grace and swiftness.• The churchtower was altered in the 1950s and swifts can no longer get in.• One other small bird which might be considered is the black swift.• Each year it is the same and it starts when the black swifts begin to flock and sweep over the Zoo.• A ravenflaps aimlessly across the scene, and white-throated swiftsswoop past in violentarcs.• Above me were swiftsscything their blue and white fields.From Longman Business DictionarySWIFTSWIFT /swɪft/ nounBANKINGTELECOMMUNICATIONSSociety for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications; an electronic system that allows banks all over the world to send information and payments to each otherOriginswift1Old English
