'high-speed' originates from the combination of 'high' and 'speed', where 'high' meant 'great' and 'speed' meant 'rapidity of movement'.

'high-speed' evolved from the Old English word 'spēd', meaning 'success' or 'prosperity', and 'hēah', meaning 'great'.

Initially, it referred to 'great success or rapidity', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'operating at a very fast rate'.