quicken

UK: /ˈkwɪkən/ US: /ˈkwɪkən/ ,(kwik′ən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

quick•en /ˈkwɪkən/   v. 

1. to (cause to) become more rapid;
   accelerate;
   hasten: [~ + object]
   She quickened her pace.
   [no object]
   Her pulse quickened.
2. to give liveliness to;
   stimulate:
   [~ + object] to quicken the imagination.
3. Medicine [no object] (of a fetus in the womb) to begin to show signs of life.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

quick•en  (kwik′ən), v.t. 

1. to make more rapid;
   accelerate;
   hasten:
   She quickened her pace.
2. to give or restore vigor or activity to;
   stir up, rouse, or stimulate:
   to quicken the imagination.
3. to revive;
   restore life to:
   The spring rains quickened the earth.

v.i. 

4. to become more active, sensitive, etc.:
   This drug causes the pulse to quicken.
5. Medicine to become alive;
   receive life.
6. (of the mother) to enter that stage of pregnancy in which the fetus gives indications of life.
7. Medicine (of a fetus in the womb) to begin to manifest signs of life.

• Middle English quikenen. See quick, -en¹ 1250–1300

quick′en•er, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. animate, vitalize, enliven.
• 3. vivify.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

quicken / ˈkwɪkən/ verb

1. to make or become faster; accelerate
2. to impart to or receive vigour, enthusiasm, etc; stimulate or be stimulated: science quickens the human imagination
3. to make or become alive; revive
4. (of an unborn fetus) to begin to show signs of life
5. (of a pregnant woman) to reach the stage of pregnancy at which movements of the fetus can be felt