English Dictionary

Definition of “quicken

quicken (ˈkwɪkənPronunciation for quicken

Definitions

verb

  1. to make or become faster; accelerate  ⇒ he quickened his walk her heartbeat quickened with excitement 
  2. to impart to or receive vigour, enthusiasm, etc; stimulate or be stimulated  ⇒ science quickens man's imagination 
  3. to make or become alive; revive
    1. (of an unborn fetus) to begin to show signs of life
    2. (of a pregnant woman) to reach the stage of pregnancy at which movements of the fetus can be felt

Usage examples

  • The animals sensed the improvement first, and started to quicken their pace, in spite of the treacherous, gravelly stones underfoot.
    Shah, Idries, Kara Kush (1986)
  • In the electoral stakes, she doesn't seem the type to quicken the bookmaker's pulse.
    India Today (1999)
  • It's all exceptionally linear, but the developers have managed to quicken the pace while maintaining enjoyable detail.
    canada.com (2004)
  • Road plan to quicken journeys to Dublin Travelling from Belfast will take only 90 minutes By Ben Lowry blowry@belfasttelegraph.
    Belfast Telegraph (2004)
  • The dark days became fewer and my progress began to quicken.
    French, Barbara, Coping with Bulimia (1987)

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