swiften, v. rare.
(ˈswɪft(ə)n)
[f. swift a. + -en5.]
1. trans. To make swift or swifter, hasten.
| 1638 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 202 Our Ambassador to swiften his dispatch, visited..the grand Favorite Mahomet Ally-beg. 1647 Boyle in Birch Life B.'s Wks. 1772 I. p. xxxix, The dictionary, whose edition, had my wishes the power to swiften it, should be very sudden. |
2. intr. To become swift or swifter; loosely, to move swiftly, hasten, hurry. Hence swiftening ppl. a.
| 1839 Bailey Festus ii. 8 The thought comes swiftening over us Like a small bird winging the still blue air. 1848 Lytton K. Arthur ii. lxxviii, Still, while he sped, the swifter wings that lead Seem'd to rebuke for sloth the swiftening steed. 1889 Scribner's Mag. May 603 High places where on quiet afternoon A shadow swiftens by. |