[quick] adj [ME quik, fr. OE cwic; akin to ON kvikr living, L vivus living, vivere to live, Gk bios, zoe life] (bef. 12c) 1: not dead: living, alive
2: acting or capable of acting with speed: as a (1): fast in understanding, thinking, or learning: mentally agile "a ~ wit" "~ thinking" (2): reacting to stimuli with speed and keen sensitivity (3): aroused immediately and intensely "~ tempers" b (1): fast in development or occurrence "a ~ succession of events" (2): done or taking place with rapidity "gave them a ~ look" c: marked by speed, readiness, or promptness of physical movement "walked with ~ steps" d: inclined to hastiness (as in action or response) "~ to criticize" e: capable of being easily and speedily prepared "a ~ and tasty dinner" 3 archaic a: not stagnant: running, flowing b: moving, shifting "~ mud"
4. archaic: fiery, glowing
5. obs a: pungent b: caustic
6. archaic: pregnant 7: having a sharp angle "a ~ turn in the road" -- quick.ly adv -- quick.ness n syn quick, prompt, ready, apt mean able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability. quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power "quick reflexes" "a keen quick mind". prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response "prompt emergency medical care". ready suggests facility or fluency in response "backed by a pair of ready assistants". apt stresses the possession of qualities (as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible "an apt student" "her answer was apt and to the point". syn see in addition fast
[2]quick n (bef. 12c) 1 quick pl: living beings
2. [prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON kvika sensitive flesh, fr. kvikr living] a: a painfully sensitive spot or area of flesh (as that underlying a fingernail or toenail) b: the inmost sensibilities "hurt to the ~ by the remark" c: the very center of something: heart 3 archaic: life 11 [3]quick adv (14c): in a quick manner