Godspeed

Origin

Middle English god speid, from the phrase God spede you God prosper you

• 15th Century

Definitions

• 1: : to utter the words ‘God speed (you)’; esp. to express a wish for the success of one who is setting out on some journey or enterprise.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) 2 John 10 Yf ther come eny vnto you and bringe not this learninge him receave not to housse: neither bid him God spede.

1597 Shakespeare Richard II i. iv. 31 A brace of draimen bid, God speed him wel.

1776 J. Wesley Wks. (1872) IV. 76 Every one seems to bid us God-speed!

• 2: a. the Godspeed (of a thing), the conclusion, finish. Also, in the Godspeed, in the nick of time. Obsolete

1740 tr. C. de Mouhy Fortunate Country Maid (1741) II. 61 Had not the Curate interposed in the Godspeed, the Inn-keeper had certainly crippled him.

b. in God-speed dinner, God-speed party. (Cf. farewell)

1867 Athenæum 26 Oct. 539/1 Lord Lytton will preside at a Godspeed dinner to be given to Mr. Charles Dickens, on Saturday, next week, November 2.

1887 T. A. Trollope What I Remember II. vii. 127, I went, and the God-speed party was a very pleasant one.

• 3: at the back of God-speed = at the back of beyond

1858 Trollope Dr. Thorne (1859) v. 63, If I don't leave you at the back of God-speed before long, I'll give you the mare and the horse too.

Description

Godspeed or God Speed comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.