quicken

verb quick·en \ˈkwi-kən\

: to make (something) faster

: to become faster

: to make (something, such as a feeling) stronger or more active

quick·enedquick·en·ing \ˈkwi-kə-niŋ, ˈkwik-niŋ\

Full Definition of QUICKEN

transitive verb

a : to make alive : revive

b : to cause to be enlivened : stimulate

archaic

a : kindle

b : to cause to burn more intensely

: to make more rapid : hasten, accelerate <quickened her steps>

a : to make (a curve) sharper

b : to make (a slope) steeper

intransitive verb

: to quicken something

: to come to life; especially : to enter into a phase of active growth and development <seeds quickening in the soil>

: to reach the stage of gestation at which fetal motion is felt

: to shine more brightly <watched the dawn quickening in the east>

: to become more rapid <her pulse quickened at the sight>

— quick·en·er \ˈkwi-kə-nər, ˈkwik-nər\ noun

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First Known Use of QUICKEN

14th century

Related to QUICKEN

Synonyms: accelerate, bundle, fast-track, hasten, hurry, rush, speed (up), whisk

Antonyms: brake, decelerate, retard, slow (down)

Synonym Discussion of QUICKEN

quicken, animate, enliven, vivify mean to make alive or lively. quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life or activity especially in something inert <the arrival of spring quickens the earth>. animate emphasizes the imparting of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical or artificial <happiness animated his conversation>. enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness or torpidity <enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes>. vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal of vitality <new blood needed to vivify the dying club>.

synonyms see in addition provoke