speed
n. · v. · interj.-
1 rate of motion (n.) A2 Elementary Physicshow fast something or someone moves.
the rate at which someone or something moves or operates; the magnitude of velocity.
ExampleThe car was travelling at a high speed when it turned the corner.
ExampleThe aircraft reached its cruising speed shortly after leveling off at thirty thousand feet.
- slowness
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2 illegal drug (n.) C1 Advanced Slanga slang name for a drug that makes you feel very excited and awake.
an amphetamine-based stimulant drug, typically used illegally to increase alertness or energy.
ExampleHe was arrested for possession of speed and other illegal substances.
ExampleThe long-term health effects of speed abuse include severe cardiovascular strain and neurological damage.
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3 camera settings (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Photographyhow sensitive a camera is to light, or how fast the shutter closes.
the sensitivity of a photographic sensor to light, or the duration of a shutter exposure.
ExampleYou need a fast shutter speed to take clear photos of sports.
ExampleAdjusting the ISO speed allows the photographer to capture images in low-light conditions without using a flash.
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4 to move fast (v.) A2 Elementaryto move very quickly from one place to another.
to move or travel at high velocity.
ExampleThe ambulance had to speed through traffic to reach the hospital.
ExampleThe cyclists began to speed down the mountain road, reaching dangerous velocities on the sharp turns.
- crawl
- dawdle
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5 to break the limit (v.) B1 Intermediateto drive a car faster than the legal limit.
to drive a motor vehicle faster than the legally prescribed limit.
ExampleHe got a ticket because he was speeding in a school zone.
ExampleThe driver was pulled over for speeding on the motorway, exceeding the limit by twenty miles per hour.
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6 to accelerate a process (v.) B1 Intermediateto make something happen faster than usual.
to increase the rate at which a process or event occurs; often used with 'up'.
ExampleWe need to speed up the hiring process to find a new manager.
ExampleThe new software was designed to speed up the data entry process, reducing the workload for the administrative staff.
UsageOften used as the phrasal verb 'speed up'.
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7 recording ready (interj.) C2 Proficiency Technical Theatrea word used by film crews to say the equipment is ready to record.
a signal used in film production to indicate that recording equipment has reached the required operating speed.
ExampleThe sound engineer shouted 'speed' and the director called for action.
ExampleOnce the technician confirmed speed, the camera operator began the complex tracking shot through the crowded set.
From Middle English sped (“prosperity, good luck, quickness, success”), from Old English spēd (“success”), from Proto-West Germanic spōdi (“prosperity, success”), from Proto-West Germanic spōan, from Proto-Germanic spōaną (“to prosper, succeed, be happy”), from Proto-Indo-European speh₁- (“to prosper, turn out well”). Cognate with Scots spede, speid (“success, quickness, speed”), Dutch spoed (“haste; speed”), German Low German Spood (“haste; speed; eagerness; success”), German Sput (“progress, acceleration, haste”). Related also to Old English spōwan (“to be successful, succeed”), Albanian shpejt (“to speed, to hurry”) and Russian спеши́ть (spešítʹ, “to hurry”), Latin spēs (“hope, expectation”), spērō (“hope”, verb), perhaps also to Ancient Greek σπεύδω (speúdō, “to urge on, hasten, press on”).
From Middle English speden, from Old English spēdan (“to speed, prosper, succeed, have success”), from Proto-West Germanic *spōdijan (“to succeed”). Cognate with Scots spede, speid (“to meet with success, assist, promote, accomplish, speed”), Dutch spoeden (“to hurry, rush”), Low German spoden, spöden (“to hasten, speed”), German sputen, spuden (“to speed”).