adj., adv., & n.
--adj.
1. taking only a short time (a quick worker).
2 arriving after a short time, prompt (quick action; quick results).
3 with only a short interval (in quick succession).
4 lively, intelligent.
5 acute, alert (has a quick ear).
6 (of a temper) easily roused.
7 archaic living, alive (the quick and the dead).
--adv.
1. quickly, at a rapid rate.
2 (as int.) come, go, etc., quickly.
--n.
1. the soft flesh below the nails, or the skin, or a sore.
2 the seat of feeling or emotion (cut to the quick).
Phrases and idioms:
be quick act quickly. quick-fire
1. (of repartee etc.) rapid.
2 firing shots in quick succession.
quick-freeze
1. freeze (food) rapidly so as to preserve its natural qualities.
2 this process.
quick march Mil.
1. a march in quick time.
2 the command to begin this. quick one colloq. a drink taken quickly. quick step Mil. a step used in quick time (cf. QUICKSTEP). quick time Mil. marching at about 120 paces per minute.
quick trick Bridge
1. a trick in the first two rounds of a suit.
2 the card that should win this. quick with child archaic at a stage of pregnancy when movements of the foetus have been felt.
Derivatives:
quickly adv. quickness n.
Etymology: OE cwic(u) alive f. Gmc