The correct spelling of the past tense of "speed up" is "sped up." It is pronounced with the [d] sound at the end, rather than [t]. This is because "speed up" is a regular verb, and regular verbs ending in "-ed" are pronounced either with the [d] or [t] sound, depending on the final consonant sound of the base verb. Since "speed" ends with a voiced consonant sound ([d]), the "-ed" ending is pronounced with the [d] sound in "sped up." Therefore, "speeded up" is incorrect.
Speeded up is a phrasal verb that refers to the act of increasing the velocity, tempo, or rate of something. It implies making an activity or process progress at a faster pace than before. It is often used to describe the acceleration or quickening of an action, event, or occurrence.
In a literal sense, speeded up can apply to various contexts. For instance, it can be used to explain the act of augmenting the speed of a moving object, such as a vehicle or a projectile. Similarly, it can describe the process of enhancing the playback speed of a recording, video, or audio track.
Metaphorically, speeded up can also describe the hastening or expediting of non-physical phenomena. For instance, it can denote the acceleration of a task, project, or assignment to achieve quicker results or meet deadlines. Additionally, it can illustrate the hastened progression of a natural or social process, such as the speeded up growth of a plant or the speeded up development of a country.
Overall, speeded up implies a state of increased pace or rapidity, highlighting the concept of moving or progressing more swiftly. Whether in a literal or figurative sense, speeded up suggests the act of making something happen or occur faster, reflecting an amplified velocity, tempo, or rate.
The etymology of the phrase "speeded up" can be understood by examining the origins of its constituent words, "speed" and "up".
1. Speed: The term "speed" originated from the Old English word "spēd", which meant "success, rapidity". It is also related to the Old High German word "spuot", meaning "success" or "prosperity". Over time, "speed" developed the specific meaning of "velocity" or "rapidity", which is its usage in the phrase "speeded up".
2. Up: The word "up" is derived from the Old English word "up", which has remained relatively unchanged throughout the years. It denotes motion or location towards a higher point or elevation.
Combining these two words, "speeded up" came to mean the act of increasing or accelerating the rate or pace of something.