Quich

[Cf. quech or queck, and quinch. Either allied to quick, or to quake, q. v.] To stir; to move. [Obs.] Spencer.

(kwĭk), a. [compar. QUICKER; superl. QUICKEST.] [A-S. cwic, O. Sax. quic, D. kwik, O. Fries. & L. Ger. quik, Dan. qvik, Sw. qvick, Icel. qvikr, O. H. Ger. quec, N. H. Ger. quech; quick, Goth. qius, allied to Lat. vivus, from vivere, Skr. dshīv, to live.]

1Sense 1. Alive; living; animate;—opposed to dead or inanimate. “The Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead.” 2 Tim. iv. 1.

Man is no star, but a quick coal Of mortal fire. Herbert.

In this sense the word is nearly obsolete, except in some compounds, or in particular phrases.

2Sense 2. Characterized by liveliness; animated; sprightly; agile; brisk. “You have a quick wit.” Shak.

3Sense 3. Speedy; hasty; swift; not slow.

Oft he to her his charge of quick return Repeated. Milton.

4Sense 4. Hasty; sharp; unceremonious. [Rare.]

The bishop was somewhat quick with them, and signified that he was much offended. Latimer.

Quick with child, pregnant with a living child.

Synonyms—Speedy; expeditious; swift; rapid; hasty; prompt; ready; active; brisk; nimble; agile; lively; sprightly.

adv. 1. In a quick manner; nimbly; with celerity; rapidly; with haste; speedily; without delay; as, run quick; be quick. “If we consider how very quick the actions of the mind are performed.” Locke. 2. Soon; in a short time; without delay; as, go, and return quick.

n. [Eng. quick, a., L. Ger. quick. Cf. Sw. qviga, a heifer; Dan. quäg, cattle, that is, living.] 1. That which is alive or living; a living animal or plant; especially, the hawthorn, quickset. The works . . . are curiously hedged with quick, and planted with a stately row of limes on the rampart. Evelyn. 2. Hence, the part of the body which is sensitive to pain; the living flesh; hence, the sensitive part or point; that which is susceptible of, or causes, keen feeling. This test nippeth, this pincheth, this toucheth the quick. Latimer. How feebly and unlike themselves they reason when they come to the quick of the difference! Fuller. 3. Quitch-grass.

[See QUICKEN.] To revive; to make alive. [Obs.] Chaucer.

To be or become alive; to stir, as a living being. [Obs.] Chaucer.