adj.
- moving fast or doing something in a short time.
▸lasting a short time.
▸prompt.
- intelligent.
▸(of one's eye or ear) alert.
- (of a person's temper) easily roused.
n.
-
(the quick)
the tender flesh below the growing part of a fingernail or toenail.
▸the central or most sensitive part of someone or something.
-
[as pl. n. the quick]
archaic those who are living.
Phrase
- cut someone to the quick
cause someone deep distress. - quick and dirty
informal, chiefly US done or produced hastily. - a quick one
informal a rapidly consumed alcoholic drink. - quick with child
archaic at a stage of pregnancy when the fetus can be felt to move.
Derivative
- quickly adv.
- quickness n.
Etymology
OE cwic, cwicu ‘alive, animated, alert’, of Gmc origin.
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