overquickadj.
/ˌəʊvəˈkwɪk/, U.S. /ˌoʊvərˈkwɪk/ Excessively quick; too quick.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adjective] > prompt to act > excessively
overquick1560
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. viv He graunteth that he was ouer quicke.
a1627 T. Middleton Women beware Women i. ii, in 2 New Playes (1657) 101 Then over-quick at hearing, I'll prevent it, Though my joys fare the harder.
1663 R. Boyle Some Considerations Usefulnesse Exper. Nat. Philos. ii. ii. 166 The fire..must be kept pretty quick, and yet not over~quick, least the oyle boil over.
1687 C. Sedley Bellamira Pref. Some expressions or Metaphors, which by persons of a ticklish imagination, or over-quick sense that way, seem'd too lascivious for modest Ears.
1826 M. W. Shelley Last Man III. iii. 72 I could not believe that the over-quick flow of her blood was a sign of health.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Vivien in Idylls of King 131 Overquick are you To catch a lothly plume fall'n from the wing Of that foul bird of rapine.
1888 E. Bellamy Looking Backward xxvii. 421 After that, sir, you shall apologize to me very humbly for thinking as I know you do, that I have been over quick to fall in love with you.
1972 I. Crichton Smith By Sea in Coll. Poems xiv. 151 The blunt bucking swords and thorny helmets, The overquick salute.
1991 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 24 Oct. 72/3 Chasin and Franke are also over-quick in their dismissal of the role of the inheritance laws.
Derivatives
ˌoverˈquickness n.
ΚΠ
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison I. 99 I would not help him to a meaning by my own over-quickness.
1958 Shakespeare Q. 9 540 It is this over-quickness to revenge that makes Laertes the perfect foil.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1560