high-speed
UK: ˈhaɪ spiːd | US: ˈhaɪ spiːd
adj. operating or moving at great velocity
adj. designed for or capable of functioning at rapid rates
n. a state or condition of rapid motion or operation
The compound "high-speed" merges "high," from Old English hēah (meaning "tall, lofty, or elevated"), with "speed," from Old English spēd (meaning "success, prosperity, or swiftness"). By the 19th century, "speed" evolved to emphasize rapid motion, and "high" intensified this meaning, creating a term for exceptional velocity—first applied to machinery (e.g., trains) and later to technology (e.g., internet). The logic reflects a physical metaphor: "high" quantifies "speed" as measurable intensity.
The high-speed train connects cities in under two hours.
Modern computers rely on high-speed processors.
The camera captures clear images even in high-speed motion.
Fiber optics enable high-speed data transmission.
Engineers tested the aircraft's high-speed capabilities.