Enquicken

/ɛnˈkwɪkən/ verb

Definition

To enliven, invigorate, or give life to; to quicken or make more lively.

Etymology

From prefix 'en-' (to put into) + 'quicken' (to make quick or alive), from Old English 'cwic' (alive). Related to the word 'quick.'

Kelly Says

This is a wonderfully archaic word—'quick' originally meant 'alive' (as in 'the quick and the dead'), so 'enquicken' literally meant to bring something to life, not just to speed it up.

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