quicken
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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to become more active, sensitive, etc..
This drug causes the pulse to quicken.
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to become alive; receive life.
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(of the mother) to enter that stage of pregnancy in which the fetus gives indications of life.
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(of a fetus in the womb) to begin to manifest signs of life.
verb
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to make or become faster; accelerate
he quickened his walk
her heartbeat quickened with excitement
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to impart to or receive vigour, enthusiasm, etc; stimulate or be stimulated
science quickens man's imagination
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to make or become alive; revive
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(of an unborn fetus) to begin to show signs of life
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(of a pregnant woman) to reach the stage of pregnancy at which movements of the fetus can be felt
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Other Word Forms
- quickener noun
- requicken verb
- unquickened adjective
Etymology
Origin of quicken
First recorded in 1250–1300, quicken is from the Middle English word quikenen. See quick, -en 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Concerned, I take it from him, but my heart quickens when I see the return address.
From Literature
Inflation data are already showing elevated price pressures in the world’s biggest economy, and surging oil prices will only quicken the pace over the coming months.
From Barron's
Inflation data are already showing elevated price pressures in the world’s biggest economy, and surging oil prices will only quicken the pace over the coming months.
From Barron's
Inflation data are already showing elevated price pressures in the world’s biggest economy, and surging oil prices will only quicken the pace over the coming months.
From Barron's
Marlene quickened her step noticeably, and, following along behind, so did we.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
