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>.