Part 733

I. Watts.

2. A pun; a low conceit.

Quib"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quibbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quibbling (?).] 1. To evade the point in question by artifice, play upon words, caviling, or by raising any insignificant or impertinent question or point; to trifle in argument or discourse; to equivocate.

2. To pun; to practice punning. Cudworth.

Syn. -- To cavil; shuffle; equivocate; trifle.

Quib"bler (?), n. One who quibbles; a caviler; also, a punster.

Quib"bling*ly (?), adv. Triflingly; evasively.

Qui"ca (?), n. [From the native Brazilian name.] (Zoˆl.) A small South American opossum (Didelphys quica), native of Guiana and Brazil. It feeds upon insects, small birds, and fruit.

Quice (?), n. (Zoˆl.) See Queest.

Quich (?), v. i. [Cf. Quinch.] To stir. [Obs.]

He could not move nor quich at all.

Spenser.

Quick (?), a. [Compar. Quicker (?); superl. Quickest.] [As. cwic, cwicu, cwucu, cucu, living; akin to OS. quik, D. kwik, OHG. quec, chec, G. keck bold, lively, Icel. kvikr living, Goth. qius, Lith. qvas, Russ. zhivoi, L. vivus living, vivere to live, Gr. bi`os life, Skr. jva living, jv to live. Cf. Biography, Vivid, Quitch grass, Whitlow.] 1. Alive; living; animate; -- opposed to dead or inanimate.

Not fully quyke, ne fully dead they were.

Chaucer.

The Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.

2 Tim. iv. 1.

Man is no star, but a quick coal Of mortal fire.

Herbert.

In this sense the word is nearly obsolete, except in some compounds, or in particular phrases.

2. Characterized by life or liveliness; animated; sprightly; agile; brisk; ready. " A quick wit." Shak.

3. Speedy; hasty; swift; not slow; as, be quick.

Oft he her his charge of quick return Repeated.

Milton.

4. Impatient; passionate; hasty; eager; eager; sharp; unceremonious; as, a quick temper.

The bishop was somewhat quick with them, and signified that he was much offended.

Latimer.

5. Fresh; bracing; sharp; keen.