Godspeed

interjection

1. 1

   Used, particularly at a moment of departure, to convey a wish that an individual’s forthcoming actions yield favorable outcomes; typically addressed to someone embarking on a journey or undertaking a challenging endeavor.

   3 [Citizen]. Neighbours, God ſpeed. / 1 [Citizen]. Giue you good morrovv ſir.

   Duke. God ſpeed father. / 1. Mad[man]. God ſpeed the Plough, thou ſhalt not ſpeed me.

   At the threshold of death, how dare I give you permission to go to England, to cross the seas? But I will not stand in your way. It is your mother's permission which really matters. If she permit you, then godspeed! Tell her I will not interfere. You will go with my blessings.

   So all of America watched at 9:47 a.m. on Feb. 20, 1962, as [John] Glenn took off from Cape Canaveral. Scott Carpenter, backup astronaut for the mission, famously said: "Godspeed, John Glenn."

noun

1. 1

   The wishing of someone a smooth journey, or success, especially at a parting; (countable) a statement expressing this.

   Yff there come eny vnto you and brynge not this learnynge⸝ hym receave not to houſſe: nether bid hym god ſpede. For he that biddeth hym God ſpede⸝ is part taker off his evyll dedes.

   Then Chriſtian took his leave of his Friend, and he again bid him God ſpeed.

   Ber[inthia]. Speed her vvell. / VVor[thy]. Ay, but there muſt be more than a God ſpeed, or your Charity vvon't be vvorth a farthing.

   He never danced himself, and there he sat, poking his head in my face, and impressing all the beholders with the idea that he was a confirmed, acknowledged lover; my aunt looking complacently on, all the time, and wishing him God-speed.

2. 2

   archaicChiefly in in the Godspeed of: the most important part of something, or point at which something happens; also, the last minute or last moment.

   But a Devil came in juſt in the God-ſpeed, and told them; Gentlemen Philoſophers, (ſays he) if you vvould knovv the VVretched'ſt, and moſt contemptible thing in the VVorld; It is an Alchymiſt: […]

   But juſt in the Godſpeed, the Plot vvas Diſcover'd.

   I udn't mind seeing her come in when I was in the godspeed of washday, and that's saying something.

3. 3

   figurativeIn back of Godspeed: a distant, remote, or unknown place.

   If I don't leave you at the back of God-speed before long, I'll give you the mare and the horse too.

   mrs george. I have earned the right to speak. I have dared: I have gone through: I have not fallen withered into the fire: I have come at last out beyond, to the back of Godspeed. / the bishop. And what do you see there, at the back of Godspeed?

Forms

plural

Godspeeds