quicken

quick·en

verb \ˈkwi-kən\

quick·enedquick·en·ing \ˈkwi-kə-niŋ, ˈkwik-niŋ\

Definition of QUICKEN

transitive verb

1

a : to make alive : revive

b : to cause to be enlivened : stimulate

2

archaic

a : kindle

b : to cause to burn more intensely

3

: to make more rapid : hasten, accelerate <quickened her steps>

4

a : to make (a curve) sharper

b : to make (a slope) steeper

intransitive verb

1

: to quicken something

2

: to come to life; especially : to enter into a phase of active growth and development <seeds quickening in the soil>

3

: to reach the stage of gestation at which fetal motion is felt

4

: to shine more brightly <watched the dawn quickening in the east>

5

: to become more rapid <her pulse quickened at the sight>

— quick·en·er \ˈkwi-kə-nər, ˈkwik-nər\ noun

Examples of QUICKEN

1. Stimulants can quicken the heart rate.
2. His pulse quickened at the thought of seeing her again.
3. The approach of the deadline quickened our sense of urgency.
4. The drama quickened when police arrived at the scene.

First Known Use of QUICKEN

14th century

Related to QUICKEN

Synonyms

accelerate, bundle, fast-track, hasten, hurry, rush, speed (up), whisk

Antonyms

brake, decelerate, retard, slow (down)

Related Words

drive, goad, prod, propel, push, race, spur, stir, urge; aid, dispatch, ease, encourage, expedite, facilitate

Near Antonyms

delay, encumber, fetter, hamper, hinder, hobble, hold back, hold up, impede, interfere (with), manacle, rein (in), restrain, shackle, tie up, trammel; arrest, check, stall, stay, still, stop

Synonym Discussion of QUICKEN

quicken, animate, enliven, vivify mean to make alive or lively. quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert <the arrival of spring quickens the earth>. animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial <happiness animated his conversation>. enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity <enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes>. vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality <new blood needed to vivify the dying club>.

Rhymes with QUICKEN

chicken, sicken, stricken, thicken

quick·en

intransitive verb \ˈkwik-ən\   (Medical Dictionary)

quick·ened; quick·en·ing \-(ə-)niŋ\ (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of QUICKEN

: to reach the stage of gestation at which fetal motion is felt