ˈthikən verb
( thickened ; thickened ; thickening -k(ə)niŋ ; thickens )
Etymology: Middle English thiknen, from thikke, adjective, thick + -nen -en
transitive verb
1.
a. : to make thick, dense, or viscous in consistency
thickens gravy with flour
b. : to make close or compact : fill up the openings or interstices of
thicken platoon fires and turn back any enemy counterattack — Combat Forces Journal
2. : to make stronger : confirm , intensify
this may help to thicken other proofs — Shakespeare
3.
a. : to increase the thickness of : add to the depth or diameter of
the years had thickened the man's figure
b. : broaden
the strokes m and n are halved and thickened to indicate a following d — Pitman Shorthand
4. : blur , obscure
alcohol had thickened his speech
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to become dense (as in consistency or texture) : grow thick or compact
the mist thickened
b. : to become concentrated in numbers, mass, or frequency : gather in a crowd or dense aggregation
the Indians … were thickening in Kentucky again — Rebecca Caudill
all through the café the groups of players had thickened — Winifred Bambrick
2. : to grow blurred, obscure, or dark : become foggy or misty
his speech thickened as he drank on
the weather thickened
3. : to increase in mass or measurement : grow broader or bulkier
her tall straight figure had thickened — Ellen Glasgow
4. : to become more profound, intense, or intricate : grow complicated or keen
the plot thickens