Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Swift \Swift\, adv.
   Swiftly. [Obs. or Poetic] --Shak.

         Ply swift and strong the oar.            --Southey.

Swift \Swift\, n.
   1. The current of a stream. [R.] --Walton.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small,
      long-winged, insectivorous birds of the family
      {Micropodid[ae]}. In form and habits the swifts resemble
      swallows, but they are destitute of complex vocal muscles
      and are not singing birds, but belong to a widely
      different group allied to the humming birds.

   Note: The common European swift ({Cypselus, or Micropus,
         apus}) nests in church steeples and under the tiles of
         roofs, and is noted for its rapid flight and shrill
         screams. It is called also {black martin}, {black
         swift}, {hawk swallow}, {devil bird}, {swingdevil},
         {screech martin}, and {shreik owl}. The common
         American, or chimney, swift ({Ch[ae]tura pelagica}) has
         sharp rigid tips to the tail feathers. It attaches its
         nest to the inner walls of chimneys, and is called also
         {chimney swallow}. The Australian swift ({Ch[ae]tura
         caudacuta}) also has sharp naked tips to the tail
         quills. The European Alpine swift ({Cypselus melba}) is
         whitish beneath, with a white band across the breast.
         The common Indian swift is {Cypselus affinis}. See also
         {Palm swift}, under {Palm}, and {Tree swift}, under
         {Tree}.

   3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of lizards, as the
      pine lizard.

   4. (Zo["o]l.) The ghost moth. See under {Ghost}.

   5. [Cf. {Swivel}.] A reel, or turning instrument, for winding
      yarn, thread, etc.; -- used chiefly in the plural.

   6. The main card cylinder of a flax-carding machine.

Swift \Swift\, a. [Compar. {Swifter}; superl. {Swiftest}.] [AS.
   swift; akin to sw[=a]pan to sweep, swipu a whip; cf.
   sw[=i]fan to move quickly, to revolve. See {Swoop}, v. i.,
   and cf. {Swivel}, {Squib}.]
   1. Moving a great distance in a short time; moving with
      celerity or velocity; fleet; rapid; quick; speedy; prompt.

            My beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,
            slow to speak, slow to wrath.         --James i. 19.

            Swift of dispatch and easy of access. --Dryden.

            And bring upon themselves swift destruction. --2
                                                  Pet. ii. 1.

   2. Of short continuance; passing away quickly. --Shak.

   Note: Swift is often used in the formation of compounds which
         are generally self-explaining; as, swift-darting,
         swift-footed, swift-winged, etc.

   Syn: Quick; fleet; speedy; rapid; expeditious.

Source : WordNet®

Swift
     n 1: United States meat-packer who began the use of refrigerated
          railroad cars (1839-1903) [syn: {Gustavus Franklin Swift}]
     2: an English satirist born in Ireland (1667-1745) [syn: {Jonathan
        Swift}, {Dean Swift}]
     3: small plain-colored bird that resembles a swallow and is
        noted for its rapid flight
     4: common western lizard; seen on logs or rocks [syn: {western
        fence lizard}, {blue-belly}, {Sceloporus occidentalis}]