quick
/kwɪk/
adjective
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*kwikwaz — living, alive
Overview
Meaning Now
- moving or capable of moving with high speed.
- promptly done or occurring; immediate.
- mentally alert or sharp.
Literal older meaning
alive, living
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
cwic
Earliest period
Old English (before 12th century)
Journey
The semantic shift from 'living' to 'fast' is a common phenomenon in language, as living things are typically associated with movement and vitality. The older sense of 'alive' persists in the phrase 'the quick and the dead'.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*gʷih₃wos
“alive”
- Proto-Germanic
*kwikwaz
“alive, lively”
- Old English
cwic
“alive”
- Middle English
quik
“alive, fast, sensitive”
Transition from 'living' to 'fast' begins here.
- Modern English
quick
“fast, prompt”
Connections
Word parts
quick
root
living; fast
Related across languages
Old Norse
kvikr
alive
German
queck
living (archaic)
Gothic
qius
alive
Explore next
Related to quick
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.