quick (kwĭk) adj.
quick·er, quick·est
Moving or functioning rapidly and energetically; speedy. Learning, thinking, or understanding with speed and dexterity; bright: a quick mind. Perceiving or responding with speed and sensitivity; keen. Reacting immediately and sharply: a quick temper. Occurring, achieved, or acquired in a relatively brief period of time: a quick rise through the ranks; a quick profit. Done or occurring immediately: a quick inspection. See Synonyms at fast1. Alive. Pregnant.
Occurring, achieved, or acquired in a relatively brief period of time: a quick rise through the ranks; a quick profit. Done or occurring immediately: a quick inspection. See Synonyms at fast1. Alive. Pregnant.
Tending to react hastily: quick to find fault. Archaic Alive. Pregnant.
n. Sensitive or raw exposed flesh, as under the fingernails. The most personal and sensitive aspect of the emotions. The living: the quick and the dead. The vital core; the essence: got to the quick of the matter. adv.
quicker, quickest Quickly; promptly.
[Middle English, alive, lively, quick, from Old English cwicu, alive; see gwei- in Indo-European roots.] quick'ly adv., quick'ness n.
Usage Note: In speech quick is commonly used as an adverb in phrases such as Come quick. In formal writing, however, quickly is required. |