θɪk adj., n., & adv. --adj. 1 a of
great or specified
extent between opposite surfaces (a thick
wall; a wall
two metres thick). b of
large diameter (a thick rope). 2 a (of a line etc.)
broad;
not fine. b (of
script or
type, etc.) consisting of thick lines. 3 a arranged closely; crowded
together;
dense. b
numerous (fell thick as peas). 4 (usu. foll. by with) densely covered or filled (air thick
with snow). 5 a firm in
consistency; containing
much solid matter;
viscous (a thick
paste; thick soup). b
made of thick
material (a thick coat). 6
muddy,
cloudy;
impenetrable by
sight (thick darkness). 7 colloq. (of a person)
stupid,
dull. 8 (of a voice)
indistinct. 9 colloq. intimate or
very friendly (esp. thick as thieves). --n. a thick
part of
anything. --adv. thickly (snow
was falling thick; blows rained down thick
and fast). øa bit thick
Brit. colloq.
unreasonable or
intolerable. in
the thick of 1 at the busiest part
of. 2 heavily occupied with. thick ear Brit. sl. the
external ear
swollen as a
result of a blow (esp.
give a
person a thick ear). thick-skinned not
sensitive to
reproach or
criticism. thick-skulled (or -witted) stupid, dull;
slow to
learn.
through thick and
thin under all conditions; in
spite of all difficulties. øøthickish adj. thickly adv. [OE thicce (adj. & adv.) f. Gmc]