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.
The sensitive area within the cat's claw.
any area of the body that is highly sensitive to pain (as the flesh underneath the skin or a fingernail or toenail)
moving quickly and lightly; "sleek and agile as a gymnast"; "as nimble as a deer"; "nimble fingers"; "quick of foot"; "the old dog was so spry it was halfway up the stairs before we could stop it"
apprehending and responding with speed and sensitivity; "a quick mind"; "a ready wit"
a vein that runs through the nail
The nerves and blood vessels that run down the center of the claw, or toenail. While trimming an iguana's nails, it is important not to cut them too short, lest you cut into the quick and cause bleeding and pain. For more information, see the Claw Trimming page.
The pink part of a cats claw containing nerves and blood vessels. It should be avoided when clipping the cats claws.
the pink, blood-veined area of a ferret's nail.
The root inside a nail that feeds blood to the nail.