Quick, n. 1. That which is quick, or alive; a living animal or plant; especially, the hawthorn, or other plants used in making a living hedge.
The works... are curiously hedged with quick. Evelyn.
2. The life; the mortal point; a vital part; a part susceptible of serious injury or keen feeling; the sensitive living flesh; the part of a finger or toe to which the nail is attached; the tender emotions; as, to cut a finger nail to the quick; to thrust a sword to the quick, to taunt one to the quick; — used figuratively.
This test nippeth,... this toucheth the quick. Latimer.
How feebly and unlike themselves they reason when they come to the quick of the difference! Fuller.
3. (Bot.) Quitch grass. Tennyson.