Quickening /ˈkwɪkənɪŋ/ means to become faster or more active. The word has two syllables and is pronounced as kwik-un-ung. It is spelled with a "q-u-i-c-k" in the beginning, followed by "e-n-i-n-g," and has a double "n" in the middle. The "qu" sound is commonly pronounced as a "kw" sound in English, which is evident in the phonetic transcription. The word is commonly used in different contexts such as pregnancy when a mother feels the first movements of the fetus.
Quickening is a term that encompasses multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Primarily, quickening refers to the action or process of becoming fast or quicker, often indicating an increase in speed, agility, or responsiveness. It can also represent the act of hastening or accelerating something, bringing it to completion or fruition more rapidly than before. In this sense, it implies a sense of urgency or efficiency.
In another sense, quickening refers to the first perceptible movements of a fetus in the womb. This usage is mainly related to pregnancy, as it marks the moment when a woman feels her unborn child move for the first time. It is a significant milestone in pregnancy and often a source of joy and excitement.
Furthermore, quickening can also denote the act of animating or enlivening something. It implies the infusion of life, energy, or vitality into an object or a person. This definition is commonly used in a figurative sense, where quickening represents the enlivening or invigorating of a concept, art form, or a situation.
Overall, quickening carries various meanings, all revolving around the notions of acceleration, movement, and vitality. Whether it refers to increased speed, the first fetal movements, or the infusion of life, quickening encapsulates a sense of dynamism and liveliness.
The signs of life felt by the mother as a result of the fetal movements, usually noted first in the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• Giving life; reviving.
• Giving life to; inciting; reviving.
• The first felt motion of the foetus in the womb.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "quickening" traces its roots back to the Middle English term "quikenen". It is derived from the combination of two Old English words: "cwic" meaning "alive" or "living", and "nian" meaning "to cause or become alive". Over time, "quikenen" evolved into "quicken" and eventually became the term we know today as "quickening". The word "quickening" is often used to describe the moment when a fetus is first felt to move in the womb, hence the association with bringing to life or becoming alive.