QUICK

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English quik, from Old English cwic; akin to Old Norse kvikr living, Latin vivus living, vivere to live, Greek bios, zōē life Date: before 12th century not dead ; living , alive , acting or capable of acting with speed: as, a. fast in understanding, thinking, or learning ; mentally agile , reacting to stimuli with speed and keen sensitivity, aroused immediately and intensely , b. fast in development or occurrence , done or taking place with rapidity , marked by speed, readiness, or promptness of physical movement , inclined to hastiness (as in action or response) , capable of being easily and speedily prepared , 3. not stagnant ; running , flowing, moving , shifting , fiery , glowing, 5. obsolete pungent , caustic , pregnant , having a sharp angle , ~ly adverb ~ness noun Synonyms: see: ~ see: fast II. noun Date: before 12th century living beings, 2. \probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse kvika sensitive flesh, from kvikr living] a painfully sensitive spot or area of flesh (as that underlying a fingernail or toenail), the inmost sensibilities , the very center of something ; heart , life 11, III. adverb Date: 14th century in a ~ manner