Main Entry: ¹haste

Pronunciation: \ˈhāst\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English hǣst violence

Date: 14th century

1 : rapidity of motion : swiftness
2 : rash or headlong action : precipitateness <the beauty of speed uncontaminated by haste — Harper's>
3 : undue eagerness to act

synonyms haste, hurry, speed, expedition, dispatch mean quickness in movement or action. haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness <marry in haste>. hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion <in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush>. speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action <exercises to increase your reading speed>. expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters <the case came to trial with expedition> <paid bills with dispatch>.