GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Rapid , a. [L. rapidus, fr. rapere to seize and carry off, to snatch or hurry away; perhaps akin to Gr. ἀρπάζειν: cf. F. rapide.  Cf. Harpy, Ravish.]
   1913 Webster
   Very swift or quick; moving with celerity; fast; as, a rapid stream; a rapid flight; a rapid motion.
   1913 Webster
   Ascend my chariot; guide the rapid wheels.
   Milton.
   
   1913 Webster
   Advancing with haste or speed; speedy in progression; in quick sequence; as, rapid growth; rapid improvement; rapid recurrence; rapid succession.
   1913 Webster
   Quick in execution; as, a rapid penman.
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2.       
   Rapid, Rapids  , n. [Cf. F. rapide. See Rapid, a.] The part of a river where the current moves with great swiftness, but without actual waterfall or cascade; sometimes called whitewater; -- usually used in the plural; as, the Lachine rapids in the St. Lawrence.  For boaters on the river, it is a place that can be hazardous, with danger of capsizing or crashing into large rocks.
   1913 Webster
   +PJC
   Row, brothers, row, the stream runs fast,
   The rapids are near, and the daylight's past.
   Moore.
   
   1913 Webster