Part 737

Quid"dit (?), n. [Cf. Quiddity, Quillet, and Quibble.] A subtilty; an equivocation. [Obs.] Shak.

By some strange quiddit or some wrested clause.

Drayton.

Quid"di*ta*tive (?), a. Quiddative.

Quid"di*ty (?), n.; pl. Quiddities (#). [LL. quidditas, fr. L. quid what, neut. of quis who, akin to E. who: cf. F. quidditÈ.] 1. The essence, nature, or distinctive peculiarity, of a thing; that which answers the question, Quid est? or, What is it? " The degree of nullity and quiddity." Bacon.

The quiddity or characteristic difference of poetry as distinguished from prose.

De Quincey.

2. A trifling nicety; a cavil; a quibble.

We laugh at the quiddities of those writers now.

Coleridge.

Quid"dle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quiddled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quiddling (?).] [L. quid what.] To spend time in trifling employments, or to attend to useful subjects in an indifferent or superficial manner; to dawdle.

{ Quid"dle (?), Quid"dler (?), } n. One who wastes his energy about trifles. Emerson.

Quid"nunc (?), n. [L., what now?] One who is curious to know everything that passes; one who knows, or pretends to know, all that is going on. "The idle stories of quidnuncs." Motley.

Qui*esce" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quiesced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quiescing (?).] [L. quiescere, akin to quies rest, quiet. See Quiet, a. & n.] To be silent, as a letter; to have no sound. M. Stuart.

{ Qui*es"cence (?), Qui*es"cen*cy (?), } n. [L. quiescentia, fr. quiescens, p. pr.; cf. F. quiestence. See Quiesce.] The state or quality of being quiescent. "Quiescence, bodily and mental." H. Spencer.

Deeds will be done; -- while be boasts his quiescence.

R. Browning.

Qui*es"cent (?), a. [L. quiescens, -entis, p. pr. of quiescere: cf. F. quiescent. See Quiesce.] 1. Being in a state of repose; at rest; still; not moving; as, a quiescent body or fluid.

2. Not ruffed with passion; unagitated; not in action; not excited; quiet; dormant; resting.

In times of national security, the feeling of patriotism . . . is so quiescent that it seems hardly to exist.

Prof. Wilson.

3. (Gram.) Not sounded; silent; as, y is quiescent in "day" and "say."

Qui*es"cent, n. (Gram.) A silent letter. M. Stuart.

Qui*es"cent*ly, adv. In a quiescent manner.

Qui"et (?), a. [Compar. Quieter (?); superl. Quietest.] [L. quietus, p. p. pf quiescere to rest, keep quiet; akin to quies rest, and prob. to E. while, n. See While, and cf. Coy, a., Quiesce, Quietus, Quit, a., Quite, Requiem.] 1. In a state of rest or calm; without stir, motion, or agitation; still; as, a quiet sea; quiet air.

They . . . were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.

Judg. xvi. 2.

2. Free from noise or disturbance; hushed; still.