moving a great distance in a short time; moving with celerity or velocity; fleet; rapid; quick; speedy; prompt.-of short continuance; passing away quickly.-swiftly.-the current of a stream.-any one of numerous species of small, long-winged, insectivorous birds of the family micropodidae. 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.-any one of several species of lizards, as the pine lizard.-the ghost moth. see under ghost.-a reel, or turning instrument, for winding yarn, thread, etc.; -- used chiefly in the plural.-the main card cylinder of a flax-carding machine.