thicken

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”).

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈθɪkən/

• Audio (US):

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• Rhymes: -ɪkən

thicken (third-person singular simple present thickens, present participle thickening, simple past and past participle thickened)

1. (transitive) To make thicker (in the sense of wider).
2. (transitive) To make thicker (in the sense of more viscous).

   to thicken a sauce

3. (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.

4. (intransitive) To become thicker (in the sense of more viscous).
5. (transitive) To strengthen; to confirm.
   • c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies  (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, :

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

6. (transitive) To make more frequent.

   to thicken blows

• (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):

• Chetnik, Kitchen, chetnik, ethnick, kitchen