tick
tick (tik)
noun
- a light touch; pat
- a light clicking or tapping sound, as that made by the escapement of a watch or clock
- a mark (✓, /, etc.) made to check off items; check mark
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
- to make a tick or series of ticks, as a clock
- Informal to function characteristically or well; operate; work what makes him tick?
transitive verb
- to indicate, record, or count by a tick or ticks
- Chiefly Brit. to mark or check off (an item on a list, etc.) with a tick: usually with off
tick off
- Brit., Informal to reprimand
- ☆ Slang to make angry or irritable
tick (tik)
noun
- 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.
- 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
tick (tik)
tick (tik)
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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