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tiller

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The definition of a tiller is a person or machine that turns over soil for planting crops, a handle that turns the rudder of a boat, or a shoot growing from the base of a plant.

(noun)

An example of a tiller is a vegetable farmer who uses a plow to turn over the soil in their field.
An example of a tiller is what a person uses to steer a boat.
An example of a tiller is a new offshoot growing at the bottom of a tree.

See tiller in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a bar or handle for turning a boat's rudder

Origin: ME tiler, stock of a crossbow < OFr telier, weaver's beam < ML telarium < L tela, web (see toil): naut. sense prob. infl. by ME tillen, to reach

noun

a person or machine that tills the soil

noun

a shoot growing from the base of the stem of a plant

Origin: < OE telgor (extension of telga, a branch, bough, shoot)

intransitive verb

to send forth tillers

See tiller in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

One that tills land: a tiller of soil.

noun
Nautical

A lever used to turn a rudder and steer a boat.