| 释义 |
quickenn.1 Origin: Apparently formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: quick adj., an element of uncertain origin. Etymology: Apparently < quick adj. + a second element of uncertain origin; perhaps compare -en suffix4. Compare earlier quick tree n. and also earlier quickbeam n.Apparently attested earlier in the following place name: Quickenlawe, Quickenslawe (1246; now Wickenlow, Lancashire). Now chiefly English regional ( northern) and Irish English. the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > conifers > junipers > [noun] the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > berry-bush or -tree > [noun] > mountain ash the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular fruit-tree or -plant > [noun] > tree or plant producing edible berries > juniper bush a1400 J. Mirfield 26 Juniperus, anglice, quikentre. 1548 W. Turner sig. G.iiij v The seconde kynde [of sorbus] is called..in englishe a rountree or a Quicken tree. 1562 W. Turner (1568) ii. 71 The tre whiche we call in the North countre a quicken tre or a rown tre, & in the South countre a quikbeme. 1674 in 209 They tye soe much whighen about him, I cannot come to my purpose, else I could have worn him away once in two yeares. 1686 R. Plot vi. 223 The Fraxinus sylvestris or Quicken-tree, which they firmly believe will certainly preserve them from all fascinations, and evill spirits. 1756 R. Pococke (1889) II. 217 The quicken and yew grow here. 1785 W. Marshall 381 The Quicken-tree will grow upon almost any soil, either strong or light, moist or dry. 1857 O'Grady 143 I know that Diarmuid is in the top of the quicken. 1865 21 Oct. 324/1 The wicken-tree, or mountain ash, is represented as having the power of deterring evil spirits from where it grows. 1907 Jan. 32 In Irish vallies where the quicken grows. 1934 45 250 In days gone by the wagoners used to make sure to have a whip-stock made o' wicken. 1995 J. M. Sims-Kimbrey 236/1 Quicken..Mountain Ash..(Sorbus aucuparia). Compounds the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > berry-bush or -tree > [noun] > mountain ash 1597 W. Langham 88 Mulberies, Quickenberries, greene Grapes. 1688 R. Holme ii. v. 81 He beareth Argent, a bunch..of wild Ash, or Quicken Berries slipt. They are red, and grow in a round; as the Alder-Berries. 1879 W. Henderson (rev. ed.) vi. 184 Twigs of mountain-ash or quicken-berry. 1901 Apr. 496 When Finola the Festive went forth to the chase one day, she found a quicken berry glowing like a ruby in the highroad. 1999 (Nexis) 10 Nov. (Features section) 9 It [sc. rowan]..goes by the names sip-sap, witchwood, shepherd's friend, dog berries and quicken berries. the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > berry-bush or -tree > [noun] > mountain ash 1671 Sir W. Boreman in F. P. Verney et al. (1892) I. 15 The king's..thankes for the Quickenbury tree yu sent his maty. 1893 L. I. Guiney 23 'T is the time o' the year, if the quicken-bough be staunch, The green, like a breaker, rolls steady up the branch. 1999 N. Grene ii. 57 The removal of the quicken bough which serves as protective talisman at the door-post. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). quickenn.2Origin: Apparently formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: quick n.2, an element of uncertain origin. Etymology: Apparently < quick n.2 + a second element of uncertain origin. Compare quitch n.1 Now Scottish, English regional ( northern and north midlands), and Irish English ( northern). the world > plants > particular plants > plants perceived as weeds or harmful plants > weed > grasses perceived as weeds > [noun] > couch-grass the world > plants > particular plants > plants perceived as weeds or harmful plants > weed > grasses perceived as weeds > [noun] > couch-grass > stems of ?c1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac (Paris) (1971) 519 Many men forsoþe putten þerto [sc. puree of chickpeas] of quykens yclensede [?a1425 N.Y. Acad. Med. & L. de gramine mundato]. ?c1475 (BL Add. 15562) f. 101v A quyke, hic Aruus [1483 BL Add. 89074 eruus]..A Qwyckyn. ?a1500 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker (1884) I. 580/37 Eruus, quechyn. 1650 MS 39 Payed for quickenes to stop the calle of the mill. 1684 G. Meriton 41 Our Land is tewgh, and full of strang whickens. 1735 i. 4 If it [sc. the field] be pestered with Quicken, Swine-Arnot, or other such spreading Roots. 1794 G. Rennie iii. 63 Frequent turning over the ground..can never eradicate quickens, couch-grass, or other root weeds. 1816 W. Scott III. vi. 139 The plant Quicken, by which, Scotticé, we understand couch-grass, dog-grass, or the Triticum repens of Linnæus. 1842 J. Aiton iii. 136 Quickens, docks, thistles,..furze, broom. 1898 J. R. Campbell in 85 Quickens are in reality underground stems. Unlike roots they are jointed... Quickens are not confined to one species of grass. 1950 16 Sept. 9/3 Couch-grass—locally ‘quickens’. Compounds the world > plants > particular plants > plants perceived as weeds or harmful plants > weed > grasses perceived as weeds > [noun] > couch-grass the world > plants > particular plants > plants perceived as weeds or harmful plants > weed > grasses perceived as weeds > [noun] > couch-grass > stems of 1771 II. 22/2 In order to procure a puke, he eats the leaves of the quicken grass..or the rough cock's-foot grass, which gives him immediate relief. 1843 2 63 (note) Loosening and breaking the roots of the quicken-grass. 1858 R. S. Surtees lxv. 295 The rushes of one field and the whicken grass of the other. 1996 C. I. Macafee Quicken-grass.., couch-grass. 1898 J. R. Campbell in 85 The grass that is best known to farmers as a quicken-producer is couch-grass. 1898 J. R. Campbell in 88 It is a common belief that fibrous root-scutch belongs to Agrostis, and that quickens-scutch belongs to couch-grass. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † quickenn.3Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: quick adj., -en suffix1. Etymology: < either quick adj. or quick n.1 (compare quick n.1 2) + -en suffix1. Obsolete. rare. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. xxv And thou cut the lyuer therin wyll be lytell quykens lyke flokes. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online December 2020). quickenv.1 Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: quick adj., -en suffix5. Etymology: < quick adj. + -en suffix5. Compare Old Icelandic kvikna , kykna to come to life, come into being, Old Swedish qvikna to come to life (Swedish kvickna ; also in sense ‘to bring to life’), Old Danish qweghne to bring to life (Danish kvikne , (regional) kvægne ; also in sense ‘to come to life’). Compare earlier quick v.1 I. Senses relating to life or vigour. 1. To come or bring to life (now chiefly literary). J. Gaytryge (York Min.) (1901) 28 He..destrueyd our dede thurgh his dieyng, And whikend [?a1450 Lamb. qwyknyd] us un-to lyf thurgh his risyng. c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) John vi. 64 It is the spirit that quykeneth; the fleysch profiteth nothing. a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) lxxxiv. 6 in C. Horstmann (1896) II. 218 God, þou turned qwycken vs sal. 1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil x. Prol. 128 To quykkin thy sclavys tholit schamful ded maiste fell. 1563 N. Winȝet tr. Vincentius Lirinensis Antiq. Catholic Fayth in (1890) II. 23 He wald..quikin his spiritual peple afoir slane. a1653 H. Binning (1845) 9 The second Adam aspired to quicken what Adam killed. 1686 J. Bunyan 7 Christ, by Grace, those dead in sin doth quicken. 1746 J. Wesley 17 June (1931) II. 263 Would you have us prove by miracles..that God only is able..to quicken those who are dead in trespasses and sins? 1781 T. Adam iii. 96 He sends the Holy Spirit to quicken our dead souls. 1874 M. F. Tupper 43 It wrings the heart to see How many souls should quickened be Whom sermons leave stone-dead! 1877 J. C. Geikie II. xliv. 198 These [words] you must receive into your hearts, and they will quicken you into spiritual life. 1886 W. D. Howells 36 His words were flame, and burned to the hearts of his hearers, Quickening the dead among them. 1998 (Nexis) 17 May 32 That invisible force that used to quicken what we once referred to as our souls. the world > life > source or principle of life > giving of life > give life [verb (transitive)] the world > life > source or principle of life > resurrection or revival > [verb (transitive)] a1382 (Bodl. 959) 4 Kings viii. 5 Whan he tolde to þe kyng what maner wijse he hadde rered þe deade, þe womman aperede whos sone he hadde quykened [v.r. quyckenede; a1425 L.V. maad to lyue]. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) 20883 (MED) A ded he quickend [a1400 Gött. quickind; a1400 Coll. Phys. quicnid] wit his schade. c1475 (a1400) J. Wyclif (1880) 344 Whenne he had qwickened lazar, he..bad hem to vnbynde him. 1535 2 Kings v. 7 Am I God then, that I can kyll and quycken agayne. 1565 T. Harding ii. xiv. f. 109v God..that hath power to viuificate and quicken all thinges. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. i. 73 A medicine..able to breath life into a stone, Quicken a rocke. View more context for this quotation 1674 N. Fairfax 28 The soul that I was quickned with at birth day, is the same that I am quickned with at this day. 1692 J. Ray (1732) ii. 7 Hatching..or quickening and bringing to Perfection the Seeds. 1730 J. Thomson Autumn in 157 Still the fresh spring finds New plan[t]s to quicken. 1767 D. Garrick i. i. 12 The pow'rs of a god Cannot quicken this clod. 1819 P. B. Shelley iv. i. 64 Ill things Shall with a spirit of unnatural life Stir and be quickened. 1876 W. Morris ii. 84 How many things shalt thou quicken, how many shalt thou slay! 1974 J. Haldeman (1976) 163 Earth's population is stable at just under a billion. When one person dies..another is quickened. 2004 (Nexis) 26 Mar. c3 Keyboard riffs guaranteed to, if not quicken the dead, at least enliven the lugubrious. the world > life > source or principle of life > resurrection or revival > [verb (intransitive)] the world > life > source or principle of life > giving of life > give life [verb (intransitive)] > receive or acquire life a1382 (Bodl. 959) 4 Kings xiii. 21 Summe..beriynge a man..casten þe careyn in þe sepulcre of helisee, þe whiche whan hadde touchid þe bonys of helisee, þe man quykenede aȝeen & stood vp on his feet. ?a1450 (1977) 73 Crist..saide, ‘leve ȝe in certayn Þat I dyed & quykened agayn.’ 1530 J. Palsgrave 677/1 I quycken, I revyve, as a thyng dothe that fyrst doth begyn to styrre, or that was wyddered, or almoste deed. 1567 J. Maplet f. 25 [Their parts] being once so discerped..can neuer after reuiue and quicken againe. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1622) iv. ii. 69 As summers flies..That quicken euen with blowing. View more context for this quotation 1630 T. Dekker London Looke Backe in (1925) 183 I was called out of this Graue; I quickned and reuiued. 1692 J. Ray (ed. 2) i. 74 Their Spawn would be lost in those Seas, the bottom being too cold for it to quicken there. 1729 J. Gay i. ii. 3 In every vein Life quickens again On the bosom of May. 1769 D'Alenzon tr. ‘Hoamchi-Vam’ II. 202 The barren surface of the comet..began to quicken;..herbs, flowers, trees, fruit, and grain uprose. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Vision of Sin in (new ed.) II. 225 Below were men and horses pierced with worms, And slowly quickening into lower forms. 1851 W. H. Dixon iv. 145 The original germ of Pennsylvania was..quickening into life. 1893 R. W. Buchanan (1901) II. 218 Simple devices of the wizard's trade, Healing the sick—nay, even, 'twas avowed, Bidding a dead man quicken in his shroud! 1920 R. Bridges (1936) 494 While men slept the seed had quicken'd unseen. 1994 Mar. 94/3 Begin with new spores. Given the needed substrate, these quicken into scattered amoebalike cells. 2. the mind > emotion > [verb (intransitive)] > become active (of emotions) the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > act or do vigorously [verb (intransitive)] > act in spirited manner > become lively a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) 26482 All quickens gain his first penance þat tint was. R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle 81 Þe self sawle..qwhykkynand to heuenly likyng. 1569 R. Grafton II. 203 At this time also, the warre began to quicken in Guyan. a1665 K. Digby (1669) 188 When all is heated through, it [sc. gravy] will quicken of a sudden. 1772 C. Irvine xii. 367 It quickens to the life of holiness. 1821 P. B. Shelley 11 The hopes that quicken..Are flowers that wither. 1829 I. Taylor vi. 177 Countries that were quickening into freedom. 1870 D. G. Rossetti House of Life i, in 189 At her heart Love lay Quickening in darkness. 1938 E. Waugh (1943) ii. iv. 153 Her perennial optimism quickened within her, and swelled to a great and mature confidence. 1957 V. S. Naipaul (1964) v. 70 Her tired face quickened with scorn. 2000 W. Self (2001) 7 Quickening with putrefaction,..head swollen with fluid, she becomes..the body of the pear. the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > refreshment or invigoration > refresh or invigorate [verb (transitive)] ?c1430 (c1400) J. Wyclif (1880) 131 Whanne þei bynden hem to forsake þe world,..þei ben quekenyd bi anticristis obedience & maade more worldly þan ony oþere men. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart I. lxxxix. 111 Loue quickened hym day and night. 1542 N. Udall in H. Ellis (1843) (Camden) 7 A contynuall spurre..to pricke and to quicken me to goodnes. 1603 M. Pring Voy. N. Virginia in S. Purchas XVIII. (1906) 328 Beeing quickned up eftsoones..with a second shot they rowsed up themselves [and] betooke them to their weapons. a1632 T. Taylor (1642) i. ii. lii. 413 You..he now quickened and stirred up to his love. a1658 J. Durham (1668) vii. 401 His presence shall thus revive and quicken her. 1703 W. Penn in (1870) IX. 271 I hope..you will be quickened to show yourselves men in that affair. 1856 E. K. Kane I. xxvii. 352 We were like men driven to the wall, quickened, not depressed. 1874 J. R. Green viii. §5. 519 He rode through England to quicken the electors to a sense of the crisis. 1908 E. M. Forster x. 170 Italy had quickened Cecil, not to tolerance, but to irritation. 1999 K. Curtis i. 12 Arendt seeks to re-sacralize our feeling for human particularity, to teach us to feel quickened, awed, and pleasured by it. a1500 Wisdom of Solomon (Cambr. Kk.1.5) in R. Girvan (1939) 191 The wordis of wisdome quyknys gud mennis wyttis. ?1532 T. Elyot tr. Plutarch (new ed.) sig. D. 4 The mynde with moderate labour is quickened, and with inordinate labours is oppressed. 1579 T. North tr. Plutarch 238 The first honour that valliant mindes do come vnto, doth quicken vp their appetite. 1615 G. Markham (1668) ii. i. 14 To quicken a mans wits, spirit and memory, let him take Langdebeef, which is gathered in June or July. 1659 J. Rushworth 538 Sir Dudley Diggs quickned his motion and spoke roundly. 1723 D. Defoe (ed. 2) 106 This quicken'd my Resolution. 1781 W. Cowper 522 The frequent interjected dash Quickens a market, and helps off the trash. 1853 F. D. Maurice ix. 150 The savage impulses of the soldier became quickened. 1883 J. A. Froude IV. ii. iii. 194 Other conventional beliefs, too, were quickened into startling realities. 1972 J. Gathorne-Hardy vi. 176 The memory of childhood suffering quickened his sympathy in relation to the sufferings of..little children. 2006 21 July 16/5 Praying Elliott's prayer always quickens my sense that the moribundity of Western Christianity..advances. the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > refreshment or invigoration > become refreshed or invigorated [verb (intransitive)] > make refreshed or invigorated 1581 R. Mulcaster xxxix. 217 To consider of education, and learning, what is good and quickneth. 1637 T. Heywood ii. ii. sig. D4v The King..quickens most where he would most destroy. a1859 T. De Quincey in ‘H. A. Page’ (1877) I. ii. 20 Pillar of fire, that didst go before me to guide and to quicken. 1938 ‘S. Smith’ 41 It's nice to get abroad, It quickens and refines, But now I find myself at home My heart to peace inclines. 3. the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > burn or be on fire [verb (intransitive)] > catch fire or begin to burn the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > burn or consume by fire [verb (transitive)] > kindle or set alight c1425 G. Chaucer (Petworth) F. 1050 Hure [sc. the moon's] desire Is to be qwykkened [c1405 Hengwrt quyked] and liȝtned of ȝour [sc. the sun's] fire. a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xvii. 10 Coles that bifore ware ded..ere kyndild and qwikynd agayn. 1556 J. Heywood xiv. 59 I will yet once againe, quicken this cole. a1644 F. Quarles (1645) xii. 62 Come then, my soul, Rouze up thy dull desire, And quicken thy faint coals of sacred fire. 1751 105 The Fire they dress'd by was..quickned by the Timber of one of the Casks. 1776 D. J. Piguenit (new ed.) 19 Oppose me who will, they must fall at my feet, If my wine is but ready to quicken my fire. 1870 W. Morris 75 While she Quickened the fire. 1887 R. Browning F. Furini in xi Let my spark Quicken your tinder. 1912 tr. G. Maspero in W. S. Davis I. 13 One of those triangular ventilators which cooks use to quicken the fire. the world > matter > light > intensity of light > [verb (intransitive)] > brighten 1714 A. Pope (new ed.) i. 9 Sees..keener Lightnings quicken in her Eyes. 1764 11 232/1 Northern Aurora canopy'd on high..Converges, quickens, and..Surprises nations with untimely day. 1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in 29 The pale and bloodless east began To quicken to the sun. 1885 B. Harte i. 4 Meanwhile the light [of day] quickened. a1914 ‘M. Field’ (1918) i. 9 (stage-direct.) Deirdre stands apart..and watches the sky gradually quicken. 1995 R. E. Quirk vii. 204 As light quickened in the eastern sky, the young rebel leader contemplated the consequences of this meeting. the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > pregnancy or gestation > be pregnant [verb (intransitive)] > at specific stage 1530 J. Palsgrave 677/1 She quyckynned on al hallon day. 1553 T. Wilson 29 Hym that killeth the child so sone as it beginneth to quicken. 1599 T. Nashe 46 She was now quickned, and cast away by the cruelty of Æolus. 1607 G. Markham i. 50 Let their Mares after they are quickned, be moderately trauelled or wrought. 1663 S. Pepys 1 Jan. (1971) IV. 1 She quickened at my Lord Gerards at dinner. 1695 R. Blackmore ii. 36 Barren Night did pregnant grow, And quicken'd with the World in Embrio. 1782 A. S. 36 Ride the mare sometimes, but gently, till she has quickened, and the colt become to some perfection. 1834 S. Cooper (ed. 4) IV. 183 A woman..became pregnant, quickened, and had a flow of milk in the breasts. 1926 11 Dec. 1221/2 She quickened at four and a half months. 1967 34 574 Sixtus banned all abortions, but was reversed after his death by Pope Gregory XIV, who declared abortion illegal only after the fetus quickens. 1991 Aug. 32 Right up to the twentieth century women have held that they had a right to take contraceptive and menstrual regulators, even when it aborted pregnancy, provided it was before the foetus moved or quickened. 5. the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > [verb (transitive)] > make sharp the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > sourness or acidity > make sour [verb (transitive)] > make pungent 1591 E. Spenser Muiopotmos in sig. V2 Poppie, and drink-quickning Setuale. 1713 R. Steele No. 143. ⁋8 Rack-punch, quickned with brandy and gun-powder. 1733 G. Cheyne ii. xi. 232 Diaphoreticks..quickened with volatile Spirits. 1797 M. Underwood I. 63 A few grains of magnesia..forms a much neater medicine, (which may be quickened and warmed, where necessary, by of a few drops of tincture of senna). 1827 T. J. Graham (ed. 2) 414 A mustard poultice, quickened with oil of turpentine, and applied to the chest, may prove of the greatest service. the world > matter > chemistry > organic chemistry > chemical processes or reactions > [verb (intransitive)] > fermentation 1686 R. Blome x. 249 Put into the Cask at the Bung-hole some Apples, which will cause a new Fermentation, and very much quicken the Cyder. a1719 J. Addison I. (1746) 30 Meanwhile the tainted juice ferments within And quickens as it works. 1742 Curious Coll. Receipts 84 in (new ed.) In the Heat of Summer they fill it up again with new Ale, which will both quicken it, and make it work afresh. 1774 P. Proctor et al. II. at Fermentation The liquor is to be put into a suitable vessel for fermentation; at which time, if it work not of itself, it must be quickened by additions. 1886 H. Cunliffe 97 Wicken, to quicken; to ferment, as ale. 1987 E. Thorsson x. 151 This spark of life first quickens the yeast, causing the organic birth process to be set in motion. 2002 T. J. Elpel (ed. 5) 88 You must use all of your sourdough or all except a pinch of starter to quicken your next batch. II. Senses relating to speed or acceleration. 6. the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (transitive)] > put on (speed) > accelerate 1605 Mr. Anthony Let. 6 Nov. in (1932) XXXII. 60 Thank you also that you quicken me with your lres [= letters] to a more earnest and speedie despatch thereof. 1626 F. Bacon §990 You may sooner by Imagination quicken or slacke a Motion, than raise or cease it. 1691 W. Petty Treat. Naval Philos. in T. Hale 127 In what proportion Smoothness, Sope and Tallow doth quicken [a ship's way]. 1776 A. Smith I. i. i. 12 To facilitate and quicken their own particular part of the work. View more context for this quotation 1786 F. Burney 20 July (1842) III. 24 I..was..only quickening my pace, when I was again stopped. 1838 C. Thirlwall (new ed.) IV. 381 It had induced him to quicken his departure. 1855 A. Bain i. iv. 270 In rapid walking, the very thoughts are quickened. 1908 E. F. Benson 68 Lord Brayton had soon become visible to them all, and they quickened their pace a little. 1991 18 Dec. 1/2 The objectives behind the changes..are to..quicken and simplify the governance process. 2000 S. Broughton et al. II. i. 176/1 The drums and gongs quicken their loose rhythm. the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (intransitive)] > increase speed 1617 N. Assheton 6 June (1848) 13 Therefore we went back to Morton, quickening, to see Sr Tho. in the morning. 1752 T. Glass vii. 207 If..the Breathing quickens..we may pronounce the Patient past Hopes of Recovery. 1786 T. Arnold II. v. 306 The velocity of the pulse began to quicken. 1857 W. Smith iii. iv. 226 His step quickened, his countenance lighted up with joy. 1891 T. Hardy II. xxx. 118 Tess's breath quickened. 1936 M. Mitchell ii. xii. 218 When she thought of all the dull times of the past year,..life seemed to have quickened to an incredible speed. 1995 25 Mar. 16/3 This is..dull, so much so that when a roadie runs onstage to plug an amp back in, I feel my pulse quicken. the world > space > shape > curvature > curve or bend [verb (transitive)] > make (curve) sharper the world > space > relative position > inclination > incline [verb (transitive)] > place in a sloping position > make steeper 1711 W. Sutherland 162 To Quicken the Sheer; to shorten the Radius that strikes out the Curve. 1838 1 376/2 Retaining walls, or quickening the slopes, might perhaps get over the difficulty. 1850 J. Greenwood 139 To quicken, to give anything a greater curve. 1948 R. de Kerchove 571/1 To quicken the sheer means to shorten the radius by which the curve is struck. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). quickenv.2 Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: quicksilver n., -en suffix5. Etymology: < quick- (in quicksilver n.; compare quick n.1 7 and quick v.3) + -en suffix5. Compare earlier quicksilver v. and also earlier quicken v.1Compare discussion of quot. 1738 at quickening n.2 at that entry. rare. society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > imbue tin with mercury society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > coat or cover with metal > with specific metal 1738 [implied in: G. Smith tr. i. 15 A Quickening Water. Take one Ounce of Quicksilver, one Ounce of Aqua Fortis [etc.]. (at quickening n.3)]. 1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ 728 Mercury..soon unites itself with the tin, which then becomes very splendid, or, as the workmen say, is quickened. 1979 61 560/1 Antonio di Piero Averlino, a Florentine, suggests that you can ‘quicken’ the surfaces of your tools with a little quicksilver. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). <  n.1a1400n.2?c1425 n.3?1523 v.11357 v.21738 |
