Speed is how fast something moves or happens. As a verb, it means to move quickly or to cause something to happen faster.
From Old English *spēd* “success, prosperity, speed,” from Proto-Germanic *spōdiz* “success.” It originally meant success or good fortune before narrowing to quickness.
Speed used to mean “success,” as in “God speed you,” wishing you good progress. Over time, we zoomed in on the “how fast” part and left the “how fortunate” meaning mostly behind.
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