velocity

ve·loc·i·ty

noun \və-ˈlä-sə-tē, -ˈläs-tē\

plural ve·loc·i·ties

Definition of VELOCITY

1

a : quickness of motion : speed <the velocity of sound> b : rapidity of movement <[my horse's] strong suit is grace & personal comeliness, rather than velocity — Mark Twain> c : speed imparted to something <the power pitcher relies on velocity — Tony Scherman>

2

: the rate of change of position along a straight line with respect to time : the derivative of position with respect to time

3

a : rate of occurrence or action : rapidity <the velocity of historical change — R. J. Lifton> b : rate of turnover <the velocity of money>

Examples of VELOCITY

1. particles moving at high velocities
2. measuring the velocity of sound
3. the velocity of a bullet

Origin of VELOCITY

Middle French velocité, from Latin velocitat-, velocitas, from veloc-, velox quick; probably akin to Latin vegēre to enliven — more at wake

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to VELOCITY

Synonyms: celerity, fastness, fleetness, haste, hurry, quickness, rapidity, rapidness, speediness, swiftness, speed

Antonyms: slowness, sluggishness

Related Words: clip, gait, pace, rate, tempo; drive, hustle; acceleration, hastiness, precipitation, precipitousness, rush; alacrity, dispatch, expedition, expeditiousness, promptitude, promptness; warp speed

Near Antonyms: languidness, languor, leisureliness, lethargy, torpidity, torpor; reluctance; deliberateness, deliberation; dilatoriness, lateness, pokiness, procrastination

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Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

Rhymes with VELOCITY

atrocity, callosity, ferocity, gibbosity, monstrosity, pomposity, porosity, precocity, verbosity, viscosity, zygosity