ˈdouble-ˌquick, a. (n., adv.)
A. adj. Mil. Applied to the quickest step next to the run; = double a. 4 c. Hence gen. Very rapid or hurried. B. n. Double-quick pace or time; = double n. 3 i; also gen. at the double-quick: very quickly or hastily. C. adv. In double-quick time.
In the U.S. army, according to the Century Dict., double-quick time consisted of 165 steps of 33 inches (= 4533/4 ft.) to the minute, which was identical with the ‘double time’ in force c 1896 in the British Army. According to Funk & Wagnall the term has been superseded by ‘double time’: see double time.
| 1822 G. W. Manby Voy. Greenland (1823) 59, I singled out one [seal] that was marching away in double quick time. 1834 Medwin Angler in Wales II. 41 It was necessary to move on at double-quick. 1860 Reade Cloister & H. III. 229 He took a candle and lighted it, and turned it down..till it burned his fingers; when he dropped it double quick. 1883 Harper's Mag. Sept. 553/1 His men were proceeding at the double-quick. 1918 Blackw. Mag. Mar. 293 Down go his hands on the joystick in double-quick time. 1959 J. Braine Vodi xix. 223 If we were married and I made just one mistake in business..she'd be off double-quick. |
Hence double-ˈquick v., intr. and trans., to march, or cause to march, at double-quick. (U.S.)
| 1863 Life in South II. 294 How they marched..and marched again; and ‘double quicked’, they called it; thirty miles a day. 1888 Century Mag. XXXV. 962 Berry double-quicked his men to the point, but was too late. |