swifter

Pluralswifters

Formsswifters, swiftering, swiftered

1. 1
   adjective

   Comparative of swift. Use it to say one thing is faster or quicker than another.

   The river is swifter here than it is near the bridge.

   The new train is swifter than the old one, so the trip is shorter.

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   On a ship, a rope that holds the bars of the capstan in place while it is turned.

   The sailors tied the swifter tight so the bars would not fall out.

   When the swifter broke, a capstan bar slipped loose and hit the deck.

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   A rope tied all the way around a boat, from front to back, to make its sides stronger and protect them.

   The fishermen tied a thick swifter around the boat to protect its sides.

   The swifter took the bumps when the boat rubbed against the dock.

   Note
4. 4
   nouncountable

   On a sailing ship, the front one of the side ropes that hold up a lower mast.

   The storm snapped the swifter, and the mast began to sway.

   A sailor held on to the swifter as the waves hit the ship.

   Note
5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To make loose ropes on a ship tight by pulling the ropes on both sides closer together.

   The crew had to swifter the loose rigging before the storm.

   They swiftered the side ropes until the mast stood firm.

   Note

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