quicken

play

verb quick·en \ˈkwi-kən\

Definition of quicken

quickened

;

quickening

play \ˈkwi-kə-niŋ, ˈkwik-niŋ\

transitive verb
1a : to make alive : reviveb : to cause to be enlivened : stimulate
2 archaic a : kindleb : to cause to burn more intensely
3 : to make more rapid : hasten, accelerate quickened her steps
4a : to make (a curve) sharperb : 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

quickener

play \ˈkwi-kə-nər, ˈkwik-nər\ noun

See quicken defined for English-language learners

See quicken defined for kids

Examples of quicken in a Sentence

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

First Known Use of quicken

14th century

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

synonyms see in addition provoke

QUICKEN Defined for English Language Learners

quicken

play

verb

Definition of quicken for English Language Learners

: to make (something) faster
: to become faster
: to make (something, such as a feeling) stronger or more active

QUICKEN Defined for Kids

quicken

play

verb quick·en \ˈkwi-kən\

Definition of quicken for Students

quickened

;

quickening

1 : to make or become faster : hasten They quickened their steps.
2 : to make or become stronger or more active Curiosity quickened my interest.