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Thicken

//ˈθɪkən// verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To make thicker (in the sense of wider). transitive
  2. 2
    become thick or thicker wordnet
  3. 3
    To make thicker (in the sense of more viscous). transitive

    "to thicken a sauce"

  4. 4
    make thick or thicker wordnet
  5. 5
    To become thicker (in the sense of wider). intransitive

    "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."

Show 5 more definitions
  1. 6
    make viscous or dense wordnet
  2. 7
    To become thicker (in the sense of more viscous). intransitive
  3. 8
    To strengthen; to confirm. transitive

    "And this may helpe to thicken other proofes,/ That do demonstrate thinly."

  4. 9
    To make more frequent. transitive

    "to thicken blows"

  5. 10
    To make more detailed or comprehensive. literary

Etymology

From Middle English thickenen, thikkenen, perhaps from Old Norse þykkna (“to thicken”); equivalent to thick + -en. Cognate with Swedish tjockna (“to thicken”), Icelandic þykkna (“to thicken”).

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