rapid English · revision 5599

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1634|origins=la rapere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈræp.ɪd/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|rapide]] and directly from [[la|rapidus|t=hasty, swift, snatching]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|la|rapere|t=to seize, carry off, hurry away]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[ine-pro|*rep-|t=to snatch]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to the verb [[rape]].^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Moving with great speed, swift: 1634 in the OED and Barnhart, the 1630s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Quick in action is from 1791,^(OED 1989) and happening in a short time from 1780.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The noun ''rapids'', a fast-flowing part of a river, is from the 18th century, 1744 in MWU.^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) ''Rapid-transit'' is from 1852, for street railways,^(Etymonline) and ''rapid-fire'', of guns, from 1890.^(Etymonline) ''Rapid eye movement'' in sleep is from 1916.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1634 – swift.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1744 – rapids.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1780 – happening quickly.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1852 – ''rapid transit''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1890 – ''rapid-fire''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Happening in a short time; [[quick]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Moving or acting with great speed.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(usually rapids)'' A part of a river where the water flows very fast over rocks.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[rapidity]]

+ * [[rapidly]]

+ * [[rapidness]]

+ * [[rapid-fire]]

+ * [[ultrarapid]]

+ * [[rapid eye movement]]

+ * [[rapid transit]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[rapt]]

+ * [[rape]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}