rapidity

[ruh-pid-i-tee]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rapidity ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a rapid state or quality; quickness; celerity.

Also rap·id·ness

[rap-id-nis] /ˈræp ɪd nɪs/.

Origin of rapidity

From the Latin word rapiditās, dating back to 1610–20. See rapid, -ity

Synonyms for rapidity

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rapidity ON THESAURUS.COM

swiftness, fleetness. See speed.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for rapidity

alacrity, swiftness, velocity, acceleration, rush, celerity, expedition, fleetness, bat, dispatch, gait, pace, haste, speediness, hurry, speed, promptness, briskness, promptitude

Examples from the Web for rapidity

Contemporary Examples of rapidity

I just kind of knew it based on the rapidity of the infections.
Etta James, Who Blazed Trail for Women in R&B, Dead at 73
Christine Pelisek
January 21, 2012

Historical Examples of rapidity

All these thoughts came to her with rapidity, as Crane talked with masterly judgment.
Thoroughbreds
W. A. Fraser
He fired his volley of explanation at his employer with the rapidity of a Maxim gun.
Thoroughbreds
W. A. Fraser
To Linda it was almost a miracle, the rapidity with which a house could be erected in California.
Her Father's Daughter
Gene Stratton-Porter
He was terrified at the rapidity with which he had been involved in such dangers—decoyed into it.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad
Hence he moved with rapidity and precision, and was never taken by surprise.
Cleveland Past and Present
Maurice Joblin

Word Origin and History for rapidity

1650s, from French rapidité and directly from Latin rapiditatem (nominative rapiditas) "swiftness, rapidity, velocity," from rapidus "hasty, swift, rapid" (see rapid).