English dictionary — definitions & meanings

quicksilver

noun

An old name for the metal mercury.

quicksome

adj

Marked by quickness; swift; nimble

quid

noun

Informal British term for one pound sterling.

quid pro quo

noun

A favour, advantage or payment given in return for something else, on the understanding that each side gets something from the exchange.

quidditch

noun

A fictional ball game played between two teams of seven players riding flying broomsticks, using four balls and six elevated ring-shaped goals.

quiddity

noun

The essence or inherent nature of a person or thing.

quidnunc

noun

A person eager to learn news and scandal.

quiesce

verb

To become quiet or quieter.

quiescence

noun

The state of being quiescent; dormancy.

quiescent

adj

Inactive, quiet, at rest.

quiet

adj

Making little or no sound.

quieten

verb

To make quiet, or to become quiet.

quieter

adj

Comparative form of \"quiet\": having less noise or activity than something else.

quietly

adv

In a manner that makes little noise or draws little attention.

quietness

noun

Absence of sound; silence or hush.

quietude

noun

Synonym of quietness (“absence of sound”)

quietus

noun

A stillness or pause; something that quiets or represses; removal from activity.

quiff

noun

A puff or whiff, especially of tobacco smoke.

Quigley

name

A surname of Irish origin.

quill

noun

The hollow central shaft of a bird's feather.

quilt

noun

A bed covering made of two layers of fabric stitched together with padding in between, often patterned.

quim

noun

The female genitalia; the vulva.

Quimby

name

An English surname.

quin

noun

A European scallop, Pecten opercularis, used as food.

quince

noun

A hard, pear-shaped fruit related to apples and pears, usually cooked before eating.

Quincey

name

An English surname, a variant of Quincy.

Quincy

noun

A dry white wine made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown near Quincy in France's Loire Valley.

quinine

noun

A bitter compound extracted from cinchona bark, used to treat malaria and to flavour tonic water.

Quinlan

name

A surname of Irish origin; also a city in Texas.

Quinn

name

A surname of Irish origin, meaning "descendant of Chief"; also used as a male or female given name.

quinoa

noun

A grain-like plant native to the Andes, grown for its edible seeds.

quinquangle

noun

Synonym of pentagon (“a polygon with five sides and five angles”).

quint

noun

Short for quintuplet: one of five children born in the same birth.

Quintana

name

A surname of Spanish origin.

quintate

verb

To seize or destroy one fifth (of something).

quintessence

noun

A thing that is the most perfect example of its type; the most perfect embodiment of something; epitome, prototype.

quintessential

adj

Representing the most perfect or typical example of something.

quintet

noun

A composition (a type of chamber music) in five parts (typically each a singer or instrumentalist, sometimes several musicians)

quintillion

num

Either of two very large amounts:

quintin

name

A male given name from Latin.

Quinton

noun

A now largely obsolete stringed instrument with five strings, related to the violin.

quintuplet

noun

A group of five, particularly (music) a tuplet of five notes to be played in the time for four.

quintus

noun

In early vocal music, a fifth voice part added above or alongside the standard four-part texture of superius, altus, tenor, and bassus.

quinzhee

noun

A shelter made by hollowing out a pile of snow.

quip

noun

A short, clever, often slightly cutting remark made quickly in conversation.

quirk

noun

An odd or unusual habit, feature, or trait.

Quirke

name

A family name of Irish and Manx origin.

quirkiness

noun

The state of being quirky.

quirkle

noun

A puzzle, especially one whose answer depends on a catch or pun.

quirky

adj

Unusual or eccentric in an appealing, offbeat way.

quirt

noun

A short riding whip made of braided leather.

quisby

noun

A wretch; an idle person.

quisle

verb

To collaborate with an (occupying) enemy power; be a quisling.

quisling

noun

A traitor who collaborates with the enemy.

quit

verb

To resign from a job or position.

quite

adv

Completely or entirely.

Quito

name

The capital city of Ecuador.

quits

adjective

Even with someone, with no debt or grudge left on either side.

quittal

noun

compensation, requital, or repayment.

quittance

noun

A release or acquittal.

quitter

noun

Someone who gives up too easily instead of finishing what they started.

quitting

noun

The act of stopping or leaving something for good.

quiver

noun

A case for carrying arrows.

quivering

adjective

Shaking with small, rapid movements.

Quixote

noun

A person who is idealistic and chivalrous to the point of being impractical.

quiz

noun

A short test of knowledge, often informal or for fun.

quizzer

noun

A person who quizzes or asks questions.

quizzical

adj

Questioning or suggesting puzzlement.

quizzy

adj

Odd; eccentric.

quo

noun

The "that" half of the phrase "quid pro quo" — something given in return for something else.

quoin

noun

Any of the corner building blocks of a building, usually larger or more ornate than the surrounding blocks.

quoit

noun

A flat disc of metal or stone thrown at a target in the game of quoits.

quondam

adj

Former; once; at one time.

quorum

noun

The minimum number of members who must be present for a group to conduct official business or hold a valid vote.

quota

noun

A fixed share or amount that someone is required, allowed, or expected to reach.

quotation

noun

Someone else's words repeated exactly, usually from a book, speech, or famous person.

quote

noun

A short passage of words repeated from someone else.

quotidian

adj

Happening every day; daily.

quotient

noun

The result you get when one number is divided by another.

quoting

noun

A statement repeated word for word from another source.

Qureshi

name

A surname of Arabic origin.

qwon

name

A surname from Chinese, a variant of Kwon.