Moving or happening with great speed and smoothness, often implying graceful rapidity.
From Old English 'swift' meaning 'moving quickly,' possibly related to 'swifan' (to move in a course). The word has Germanic roots and has maintained its core meaning since Anglo-Saxon times, with the '-ly' adverb form developing naturally.
Swift birds like swallows gave their name to this concept of speed - the connection between the bird and the adjective is so strong that 'swift' can refer to the bird itself. The phrase 'swift justice' captures both the speed and the smooth, decisive nature that distinguishes 'swiftly' from merely 'quickly.'
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