I. ˈbrisk adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: probably modification of Middle French brusque — more at brusque
1.
a. : keenly alive and alert : lively , vivacious , sprightly
a brisk old lady with no nonsense about her — Jean Stafford
that brisk , managing, lively, imperious woman — W.M.Thackeray
b. obsolete : spruce , smart
2. : sharp or keen to the senses: as
a. of a drink
(1) : agreeably lively : effervescent : not flat
a brisk cider
(2) : having good flavor : pleasingly pungent : tangy
a brisk tea
b. of weather conditions : stimulating, invigorating , fresh
brisk air
brisk weather
3. : sharp in tone or manner
a somewhat brisker sort, with more bite and acid in what he says — R.H.Rovere
4. : animated , quick , energetic : not slow or sluggish
a brisk walk
brisk trading on a stock exchange
Synonyms: see agile
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to make spruce or smart in appearance — often used with up
2.
a. : to make brisk : enliven , animate , sharpen — now used with up
a brisked- up voice — Rose Thurburn
brisked up with epigrams — Time
b. : to cause to move in a brisk manner
brisking a soft cloth over the silver coffeepot — Russell Thacher
intransitive verb
: to become brisk especially in movement or activity — usually used with up
till the market brisked up — H.L.Davis