thicken
English
Etymology
From Middle English thickenen; equivalent to thick + -en.
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈθɪkən/
Audio (US): (file) - Rhymes: -ɪkən
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
Synonyms
- (make wider): broaden, enwiden; see also Thesaurus:widen
- (make more viscous): condense, engross, inspissate; see also Thesaurus:thicken
- (become wider): widen
- (become more viscous): inspissate
- (strengthen): build up, reinforce; see also Thesaurus:strengthen
- (make more frequent):
Related terms
Translations
(transitive) to make wider
(transitive) to make more viscous
|
(intransitive) to become wider
|
(intransitive) to become more viscous
|
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked
|
Anagrams
Categories:
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms suffixed with -en (inchoative)
- English 2-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio links
- Rhymes:English/ɪkən
- English lemmas
- English verbs
- English transitive verbs
- English intransitive verbs
- English terms with quotations
- English terms with usage examples
- English ergative verbs