Word Direct Answers

What does "quick" mean?

Quick: Man is no star, but a quick coal Of mortal fire. Herbert. Note: In this sense the word is nearly obsolete, except in some compounds, or in particular phrases.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Characterized by life or liveliness; animated; sprightly; agile; brisk; ready. " A quick wit." Shak.
  2. 3.Speedy; hasty; swift; not slow; as, be quick Oft he her his charge of quick return Repeated. Milton.
  3. 4.Impatient; passionate; hasty; eager; eager; sharp; unceremonious; as, a quick temper. The bishop was somewhat quick with them, and signified that he was much offended. Latimer.
  4. 5.Fresh; bracing; sharp; keen. The air is quick there, And it pierces and sharpens the stomach. Shak.
  5. 6.Sensitive; perceptive in a high degree; ready; as, a quick ear. "To have an open ear, a quick eye." Shak. They say that women are so quick. Tennyson.
  6. 7.Pregnant; with child. Shak. Quick grass. (Bot.) See Quitch grass. -- Quick match. See under Match. -- Quick vein (Mining), a vein of ore which is productive, not barren. -- Quick vinegar, vinegar made by allowing a weak solution of alcohol to trickle slowly over shavings or other porous material. -- Quick water, quicksilver water. -- Quick with child, pregnant with a living child.
  7. 8.In a quick manner; quickly; promptly; rapidly; with haste; speedily; without delay; as, run quick; get back quick. If we consider how very quick the actions of the mind are performed. Locke.
  8. 9.That which is quick, or alive; a living animal or plant; especially, the hawthorn, or other plants used in making a living hedge. The works . . . are curiously hedged with quick. Evelyn.
  9. 10.The life; the mortal point; a vital part; a part susceptible of serious injury or keen feeling; the sensitive living flesh; the part of a finger or toe to which the nail is attached; the tender emotions; as, to cut a finger nail to the quick; to thrust a sword to the quick, to taunt one to the quick; -- used figuratively. This test nippeth, . . . this toucheth the quick. Latimer. How feebly and unlike themselves they reason when they come to the quick of the difference ! Fuller.
  10. 11.(Bot.) Quitch grass. Tennyson.
  11. 12.To revive; to quicken; to be or become alive. [Obs.] Chaucer.

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