4 N‑COUNT A queue is a list of computer tasks which will be done in order. [COMPUTING ] □ Your print job has been sent to the network print queue.
5 VERB To queue a number of computer tasks means to arrange them to be done in order. [COMPUTING ]
▸ queue up
1 PHRASAL VERB [usu cont] If you say that people are queuing up to do or have something, you mean that a lot of them want the opportunity to do it or have it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P to-inf] People are queueing up to work for me! □ [V P + for ] There are a growing number of countries queueing up for membership. in AM, usually use line up 2 → see also queue 3
queu e-jumping N‑UNCOUNT If you accuse someone of queue-jumping , you mean that they are trying to get to the front of a queue or waiting list unfairly. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …queue-jumping within the health service.
quib|ble /kw I b ə l/ (quibbles , quibbling , quibbled )
1 VERB When people quibble over a small matter, they argue about it even though it is not important. □ [V + over/about ] Council members spent the day quibbling over the final wording of the resolution. [Also V + with ]
2 N‑COUNT A quibble is a small and unimportant complaint about something. □ These are minor quibbles.
quiche /kiː ʃ/ (quiches ) N‑VAR A quiche is a pastry case filled with a savoury mixture of eggs, cheese, and often other foods.
quick ◆◆◆ /kw I k/ (quicker , quickest )
1 ADJ Someone or something that is quick moves or does things with great speed. □ You'll have to be quick. The flight leaves in about three hours. □ I think I'm a reasonably quick learner. ● quick|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Cussane worked quickly and methodically. ● quick|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the natural quickness of his mind.
2 ADV [ADV after v] Quicker is sometimes used to mean 'at a greater speed', and quickest to mean 'at the greatest speed'. Quick is sometimes used to mean 'with great speed'. Some people consider this to be non-standard. [INFORMAL ] □ Warm the sugar slightly first to make it dissolve quicker.
3 ADJ Something that is quick takes or lasts only a short time. □ He took one last quick look about the room. □ Although this recipe looks long, it is actually very quick to prepare. ● quick|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ You can become fitter quite quickly and easily.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Quick means happening without delay or with very little delay. □ These investors feel the need to make quick profits. ● quick|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ It quickly became the most popular men's fragrance in the world.
5 ADV [ADV after v] Quick is sometimes used to mean 'with very little delay'. [INFORMAL ] □ I got away as quick as I could.
6 ADJ [v-link ADJ , usu ADJ to-inf] If you are quick to do something, you do not hesitate to do it. □ He 's quick to praise his co-stars' acting skills as well as their beauty.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone has a quick temper, they are easily made angry.
8 PHRASE If something cuts you to the quick , it makes you feel very upset. [LITERARY ] □ I once heard her weeping in her bedroom, which cut me to the quick.
9 quick as a flash → see flash
10 quick off the mark → see mark
11 quick on the uptake → see uptake SYNONYMS quick ADJ 1
fast: Brindley was known as a very, very fast driver.
rapid: …the country's rapid economic growth in the 1980's.
speedy: We wish Maria a speedy recovery.
swift: The police were swift to act.
quick- /kw I k-/ COMB quick- is added to words, especially present participles, to form adjectives which indicate that a person or thing does something quickly. □ He was saved by quick-thinking neighbours. □ …quick-drying paint.
quick|en /kw I kən/ (quickens , quickening , quickened ) VERB If something quickens or if you quicken it, it becomes faster or moves at a greater speed. □ [V ] Ainslie's pulse quickened in alarm. □ [V n] He quickened his pace a little.
quick|fire /kw I kfa I ə r / also quick-fire ADJ [ADJ n] Quickfire speech or action is very fast with no pauses in it. □ …that talent for quickfire response.
qui ck fi x (quick fixes ) N‑COUNT [oft with neg] If you refer to a quick fix to a problem, you mean a way of solving a problem that is easy but temporary or inadequate. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …tax measures enacted as a quick fix.
quickie /kw I ki/ (quickies ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A quickie is something that only takes a very short time. [INFORMAL ] □ There's no quickie cure.
quick|sand /kw I ksænd/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Quicksand is deep, wet sand that you sink into if you try to walk on it. □ The sandbank was uncertain, like quicksand under his feet.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to a situation as quicksand when you want to suggest that it is dangerous or difficult to escape from, or does not provide a strong basis for what you are doing. □ The research seemed founded on quicksand.
quick|silver /kw I ks I lvə r /