Quick a. [Compar. Quicker superl. Quickest.]
1. Alive; living; animate; -- opposed to dead or inanimate.
Not fully quyke, ne fully dead they were. --Chaucer.
The Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. --2 Tim. iv. 1.
Man is no star, but a quick coal
Of mortal fire. -- Herbert.
Note: ☞ In this sense the word is nearly obsolete, except in some compounds, or in particular phrases.
2. Characterized by life or liveliness; animated; sprightly; agile; brisk; ready. “ A quick wit.”
3. Speedy; hasty; swift; not slow; as, be quick.
Oft he to her his charge of quick return
Repeated. --Milton.
4. Impatient; passionate; hasty; eager; eager; sharp; unceremonious; as, a quick temper.
The bishop was somewhat quick with them, and signified that he was much offended. -- Latimer.
5. Fresh; bracing; sharp; keen.
The air is quick there,
And it pierces and sharpens the stomach. -- Shak.
6. Sensitive; perceptive in a high degree; ready; as, a quick ear. “To have an open ear, a quick eye.”
They say that women are so quick. --Tennyson.
7. Pregnant; with child.
Quick grass. Bot. See Quitch grass.
Quick match. See under Match.
Quick vein Mining, a vein of ore which is productive, not barren.
Quick vinegar, vinegar made by allowing a weak solution of alcohol to trickle slowly over shavings or other porous material.
Quick water, quicksilver water.
Quick with child, pregnant with a living child.
Syn: -- Speedy; expeditious; swift; rapid; hasty; prompt; ready; active; brisk; nimble; fleet; alert; agile; lively; sprightly.