Thick a. [Compar. Thicker superl. Thickest.]
1. Measuring in the third dimension other than length and breadth, or in general dimension other than length; -- said of a solid body; as, a timber seven inches thick.
Were it as thick as is a branched oak. --Chaucer.
My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. --1 Kings xii. 10.
2. Having more depth or extent from one surface to its opposite than usual; not thin or slender; as, a thick plank; thick cloth; thick paper; thick neck.
3. Dense; not thin; inspissated; as, thick vapors. Also used figuratively; as, thick darkness.
Make the gruel thick and slab. --Shak.
4. Not transparent or clear; hence, turbid, muddy, or misty; as, the water of a river is apt to be thick after a rain. “In a thick, misty day.”
5. Abundant, close, or crowded in space; closely set; following in quick succession; frequently recurring.
The people were gathered thick together. --Luke xi. 29.
Black was the forest; thick with beech it stood. --Dryden.
6. Not having due distinction of syllables, or good articulation; indistinct; as, a thick utterance.
7. Deep; profound; as, thick sleep. [R.]
8. Dull; not quick; as, thick of fearing.
His dimensions to any thick sight were invincible. --Shak.
9. Intimate; very friendly; familiar. [Colloq.]
We have been thick ever since. --T. Hughes.
Note: ☞ Thick is often used in the formation of compounds, most of which are self-explaining; as, thick-barred, thick-bodied, thick-coming, thick-cut, thick-flying, thick-growing, thick-leaved, thick-lipped, thick-necked, thick-planted, thick-ribbed, thick-shelled, thick-woven, and the like.
Thick register. Phon. See the Note under Register, n., 7.
Thick stuff Naut., all plank that is more than four inches thick and less than twelve. --J. Knowles.
Syn: -- Dense; close; compact; solid; gross; coarse.