Definition of swift

The origin of the word "swift" can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled suswyht. The word evolved through Middle English, where it was spelled swyft, swift, and swich. In Old Middle English, the word meant "quick" or "prompt," which is still one of its modern definitions. In Middle English, the word also began to apply specifically to the bird that we now know as the swift. This bird's speed and agility in flight led to its association with the meaning of "swift." The swift's Latin name, Apus, further adds to the word's etymology, as it is derived from the Greek word for "nighthawk" or "swift," aorrh install not running from which the swift's English name is thought to be descended. Overall, the word "swift" has remained relatively consistent in spelling and meaning throughout its history, reflecting its Anglo-Saxon roots and evolving to describe both quickness and a specific bird.