swift

Everyday

1. Very fast, quick in moving. tree →
2. Happening quickly or without delay: «a swift reply». tree →
3. A small, fast bird with long pointed wings that spends most of its life flying. tree →

In the lessons

In stories «swift» is a stronger, more literary word for «fast»: a swift horse, swift action. In science and nature lessons, swifts are birds that eat, drink and even sleep while flying, and travel huge distances. In formal writing: «swift response». Phrases: «swift action», «swift reply», «swift as the wind», «swift recovery».

Examples

• The swift river carried the boat away. tree →
• The cheetah is swift and strong. tree →
• Thank you for your swift reply. tree →
• The police took swift action. tree →
• Swifts fly south for the winter. tree →
• She made a swift recovery after her illness. tree →
• A swift can fly hundreds of kilometres in a day. tree →
• He leaped into the deep, swift stream. tree →

Note

Adverb: «swiftly». Noun: «swiftness». Swifts look like swallows but are not closely related. In maths, «swift» only tells you «fast»; use the actual speed numbers.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Tradition reads such verses as pictures of how short life is, and how quickly evil can run. In the primary lessons: In stories «swift» is a stronger, more literary word for «fast»: a swift horse, swift action. In science and nature lessons, swifts are birds that eat, drink and even sleep while flying, and travel huge distances. In formal writing: «swift response». Phrases: «swift action», «swift reply», «swift as the wind», «swift recovery».

Examples

• My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope. (Writings JOB.7.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• A heart that deviseth wicked thoughts, feet that are swift in running to evil; (Writings PRO.6.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• Now my days are swifter than a runner; they flee away, they see no good. (Writings JOB.9.25, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Adverb: «swiftly». Noun: «swiftness». Swifts look like swallows but are not closely related. In maths, «swift» only tells you «fast»; use the actual speed numbers.