Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RAP'ID, a. [L. rapidus, from rapio, the primary sense of which is to rush.]

1. Very swift or quick; moving with celerity; as, a rapid stream; a rapid light; a rapid motion. Part shun the goal with rapid wheels. – Milton.
2. Advancing with haste or speed; speedy in progression; as, rapid growth; rapid improvement.
3. Of quick utterance of words; as, a rapid speaker.