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Webster 1913 Edition
Thicken
Thick′en
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Thickened
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Thickening
.] To make thick (in any sense of the word).
Specifically:
–(a)
To render dense; to inspissate;
as, to
. thicken
paint(b)
To make close; to fill up interstices in;
as, to
. thicken
cloth; to thicken
ranks of trees or men(c)
To strengthen; to confirm.
[Obs.]
And this may to
thicken
other proofs. Shakespeare
(d)
To make more frequent;
as, to
. thicken
blowsThick′en
,Verb.
I.
To become thick.
“Thy luster thickens when he shines by.” Shak.
The press of people
thickens
to the court. Dryden.
The combat
thickens
, like the storm that flies. Dryden.
Webster 1828 Edition
Thicken
THICKEN
,Verb.
T.
1.
To make close; to fill up interstices; as, to thicken cloth.2.
To make concrete; to inspissate; as, to thicken paint, mortar or a liquid.3.
To strengthen; to confirm. And this may help to thicken other proofs. [Not used.]
4.
To make frequent, or more frequent; as, to thicken blows.5.
To make close, or more close; to make more numerous; as, to thicken the ranks.THICKEN
,Verb.
I.
1.
To become dark or obscure. Thy luster thickens
When he shines by.
2.
To concrete; to be consolidated; as, the juices of plants thicken into wood.3.
To be inspissated; as, vegetable juices thicken, as the more volatile parts are evaporated.4.
To become close, or more close or numerous. The press of people thickens to the court.
5.
To become quick and animated. The combat thickens.
6.
To become more numerous; to press; to be crowded. Proofs of the fact thicken upon us at every step.Definition 2024
thicken
thicken
English
Verb
thicken (third-person singular simple present thickens, present participle thickening, simple past and past participle thickened)
- (transitive) To make thicker (in the sense of wider).
- (transitive) To make thicker (in the sense of more viscous).
- (intransitive) To become thicker (in the sense of wider).
- 2013 July-August, Stephen P. Lownie, David M. Pelz, “Stents to Prevent Stroke”, in American Scientist:
- As we age, the major arteries of our bodies frequently become thickened with plaque, a fatty material with an oatmeal-like consistency that builds up along the inner lining of blood vessels. The reason plaque forms isn’t entirely known, but it seems to be related to high levels of cholesterol inducing an inflammatory response, which can also attract and trap more cellular debris over time.
-
- (intransitive) To become thicker (in the sense of more viscous).
- (transitive) To strengthen; to confirm.
- William Shakespeare
- And this may help to thicken other proofs.
- William Shakespeare
- (transitive) To make more frequent.
- to thicken blows
Related terms
Translations
(transitive) to make wider
(transitive) to make more viscous
(intransitive) to become wider
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(intransitive) to become more viscous
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