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through thick and thin

 - 6 dictionary results

thick

  [thik] ,adjective, -er, -est, adverb, -er, -est, noun
Use through thick and thin in a Sentence
–adjective
1. having relatively great extent from one surface or side to the opposite; not thin: a thick slice.
2. measured, as specified, between opposite surfaces, from top to bottom, or in a direction perpendicular to that of the length and breadth; (of a solid having three general dimensions) measured across its smallest dimension: a board one inch thick.
3. composed of or containing objects, particles, etc., close together; dense: a thick fog; a thick forest.
4. filled, covered, or abounding (usually fol. by with): tables thick with dust.
5. husky or hoarse; not distinctly articulated: The patient's speech is still quite thick.
6. markedly so (as specified): a thick German accent.
7. deep or profound: thick darkness.
8. (of a liquid) heavy or viscous: a thick syrup.
9. Informal. close in friendship; intimate.
10. mentally slow; stupid; dull.
11. disagreeably excessive or exaggerated: They thought it a bit thick when he called himself a genius.
–adverb
12. in a thick manner.
13. close together; closely packed: The roses grew thick along the path.
14. in a manner to produce something thick: Slice the cheese thick.
–noun
15. the thickest, densest, or most crowded part: in the thick of the fight.
—Idioms
16. lay it on thick, Informal. to praise excessively; flatter: He's laying it on thick because he wants you to do him a favor.
17. through thick and thin, under favorable and unfavorable conditions; steadfastly: We have been friends for 20 years, through thick and thin.
Origin:
bef. 900; (adj. and adv.) ME thikke, OE thicce; c. D dik, G dick; akin to ON thykkr (n.) ME, deriv. of the adj.

Related forms:
thickish, adjective
thickly, adverb

Synonyms:
6. strong, pronounced, decided.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Cultural Dictionary

through thick and thin

To stay with someone or something “through thick and thin” is to persevere through good times as well as bad: “She stood beside her friend through thick and thin.”

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
thick

  1. mod.
    stupid; thickheaded. : She's sort of thick, but she means well.
  2. mod.
    involved (with someone). : They're thick as can be.
  3. mod.
    unbelievable. : This story is too thick for me. I'm cruising outa here.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

thick  (adj.)
O.E. þicce "not thin, dense," from P.Gmc. *theku-, *thekwia- (cf. O.S. thikki, O.H.G. dicchi, Ger. dick, O.N. þykkr, O.Fris. thikke), from PIE *tegu- "thick" (cf. Gaelic tiugh). Secondary O.E. sense of "close together" is preserved in thickset and proverbial phrase thick as thieves (1833). Meaning "stupid" is first recorded 1597. Phrase thick and thin is in Chaucer (c.1386); thick-skinned is attested from 1545; in fig. sense from 1602. Verb thicken is first recorded c.1425 (trans.), 1598 (intrans.); an earlier verb was O.E. þiccian. To be in the thick of some action, etc., "to be at the most intense moment" is from 1681, from a M.E. noun sense.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

thick (thĭk)
adj. thick·er, thick·est

  1. Relatively great in extent from one surface to the opposite, usually in the smallest solid dimension; not thin.

  2. Measuring a specified number of units in this dimension.

  3. Heavy in form, build, or stature; thickset.

  4. Having component parts in a close, crowded state or arrangement; dense.

  5. Having or suggesting a heavy or viscous consistency.

  6. Having a great number; abounding.

  7. Impenetrable by the eyes.

  8. Not easy to hear or understand; indistinctly articulated.

  9. Noticeably affecting sound; conspicuous.

  10. Producing indistinctly articulated sounds.

adv.

  1. In a close, compact state or arrangement; densely.

  2. In a thick manner; deeply or heavily.

n.
The most active or intense part.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Idioms & Phrases

through thick and thin

Despite all obstacles or adversities, as in She promised to stand by him through thick and thin. This term alludes to penetrating a forest with both thick and sparse undergrowth. Today it is nearly always used with the idea of supporting something or someone in all circumstances, as in the example. [Late 1300s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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