thicken

From Middle English thickenen; equivalent to thick +‎ -en.

• (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).
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.
   • William Shakespeare

     And this may help to thicken other proofs.

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):

• thickener
• the plot thickens

• Kitchen, chetnik, ethnick, kitchen