sped

S0620000 (spĕd)v.A past tense and a past participle of speed.

sped

(spɛd) vb a past tense and past participle of speed

speed

(spid)

n., v. sped speed•ed, speed•ing. n. 1. rapidity in moving, traveling, performing, etc.; swiftness. 2. relative rate of motion or progress: the speed of light. 3. a gear ratio in a motor vehicle or bicycle. 4. a. the sensitivity of a photographic film or paper to light. b. the length of time a shutter is opened to expose film. c. the largest opening at which a lens can be used. 5. Slang. a stimulating drug, esp. methamphetamine or amphetamine. 6. a person, thing, activity, etc., that suits one's ability, inclinations, or personality: Quiet, easygoing people are more my speed. 7. Archaic. success or prosperity. v.t. 8. to promote the success of; further, forward, or expedite. 9. to direct (the course, way, etc.) with speed. 10. to increase the rate of speed of (usu. fol. by up): to speed up production. 11. to cause to move or go with speed. 12. Archaic. to cause to succeed or prosper. v.i. 13. to go or proceed with rapidity. 14. to drive a vehicle at a rate that exceeds the legal limit. 15. to increase the rate of speed (usu. fol. by up). 16. to get on or fare in a specified or particular manner. 17. Archaic. to succeed or prosper. Idioms: 1. at full or top speed, a. at the greatest speed possible. b. to the maximum of one's capabilities. 2. up to speed, a. operating at full or optimum speed. b. functioning at an anticipated or competitive level: a new firm not yet up to speed. [before 900; (n.) Middle English spede good luck, prosperity, rapidity, Old English spēd, c. Old Saxon spōd, Old High German spuot] speed′er, n. syn: speed, velocity, celerity refer to swift or energetic movement or operation. speed may apply to human or nonhuman activity; it emphasizes the rate in time at which something travels or operates: the speed of an automobile; the speed of thought. velocity, a more technical term, is commonly used to refer to high rates of speed: the velocity of a projectile. celerity, a somewhat literary term, usu. refers to human movement or operation, and emphasizes dispatch or economy in an activity: the celerity of his response.

sped

speed by

1. To move, pass, or lapse quickly. Wow, the time has really sped by—I can't believe we're nearly at the end of our trip! I tried to catch the license plate number of the car speeding by, but it was too fast.2. To move past someone or something very quickly. Followed by a noun or pronoun of the person or thing being passed. It really startled me when the motorcycle sped by our car. I tried to get the teacher's attention, but she sped right by me.See also: by, speed

speed off

To leave or depart very quickly or hastily, especially by driving. The criminals sped off just before the police arrived. He sped off when he heard the teachers approaching.See also: off, speed

speed through

1. To move or pass through something with great speed. Luckily, a traffic camera caught the car's license plate as it sped through the red light.2. To progress or proceed through something with great speed, especially in a hasty, careless, or indifferent manner. I just felt like the pastor sped through the wedding ceremony. If you speed through the material, you're not going to remember it on the day of the exam.See also: speed, through

speed up

1. To increase in speed; to move or function at a faster or higher rate. Be sure to speed up when you're overtaking a vehicle on the road. The automated process began speeding up once I shut down all the other ancillary systems.2. To cause someone or something to increase in speed or rate of activity. A noun or pronoun can be used between "speed" and "up." You want an activity that will gradually speed your heartrate up. We are speeding up production now that we know there is such strong demand from consumers.See also: speed, up

speed away

To leave or depart (from someone or something) very quickly, especially on or in some kind of vehicle. The kids rode up on their bikes, pelted us with water balloons, then sped away as quickly as they arrived. The bank robbers sped away in the bright red sports car, which the police had little trouble tracking down. I sped away from the area as soon as I saw our teacher approaching.See also: away, speed

speed away (from someone or something)

to move or drive away very fast from someone or something. The taxi sped away from the passenger who had just alighted. The car sped away from the accident. The motorcycle sped away.See also: away, speed

speed someone or something up

to cause someone or something to move faster. We tried to speed him up, but he is just a very slow person. We sped up the process, but it still took too long.See also: speed, up

speed up

to go faster. Please speed up. We are late.See also: speed, up

speed up

Accelerate, expedite, increase the rate, as in The car speeded up as it went downhill, or It's difficult to speed up production without new equipment. [Late 1800s] See also: speed, up

speed by

v.1. To pass quickly, as of a moving object or an interval of time: During vacation, the days sped by.2. To pass someone or something quickly: The car sped by me.See also: by, speed

speed off

v. To leave or drive off rapidly: She hopped in her car and sped off. The ambulance sped off to the hospital.See also: off, speed

speed through

v.1. To accomplish or proceed with something swiftly and energetically: The students sped through the easy assignment.2. To move rapidly through something: The train sped through the countryside.See also: speed, through

speed up

v.1. To increase the speed or rate of something; accelerate something: The company sped up production in order to meet the demand for their product. The conveyor belt is moving too slowly—can you speed it up?2. To move, work, or happen at a faster rate; accelerate: As he hiked uphill, his pulse sped up.See also: speed, up

sped

sped

sped

speed

sped

speed by

speed off

speed through

speed up

speed away

speed away (from someone or something)

speed someone or something up

speed up

speed up

speed by

speed off

speed through

speed up

SPED