noun

1. a light touch; pat
2. a light clicking or tapping sound, as that made by the escapement of a watch or clock
3. a mark (✓, /, etc.) made to check off items; check mark

4. Etymology: from the time needed for one tick of a clock

   Brit., Informal moment; instant

Etymology: ME tek, prob. < Gmc echoic base > Du tikk, MHG zicken, to tick

intransitive verb

1. to make a tick or series of ticks, as a clock
2. Informal to function characteristically or well; operate; work what makes him tick?

transitive verb

1. to indicate, record, or count by a tick or ticks
2. Chiefly Brit. to mark or check off (an item on a list, etc.) with a tick: usually with off

noun

1. any of a superfamily (Ixodoidea, order Parasitiformes) of wingless, bloodsucking mites, including many species that transmit diseases and are usually parasitic on humans, cattle, sheep, etc.
2. any of various degenerate, two-winged, parasitic insects

Etymology: ME teke < OE ticia (? for ticca), akin to MDu teke, Ger zecke < IE base *deiĝh-, to prickle, itch > Arm tiz, tick, MIr dega, stag beetle

noun

1. a cloth case or covering that is filled with cotton, feathers, hair, etc. to form a mattress or pillow
2. Informal ticking

Etymology: LME tykke, akin to MDu tyke, both prob. < early WGmc borrowing < L theca, a cover, sheath: see theca

noun

Etymology: contr. < ticket