Tick Definition

tĭk
ticked, ticking, ticks
noun
ticks
A light touch; pat.
Webster's New World
A light clicking or tapping sound, as that made by the escapement of a watch or clock.
Webster's New World
Moment; instant.
Webster's New World
A mark (✓, /, etc.) made to check off items; check mark.
Webster's New World
A tiny degree or increment.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
ticked, ticking, ticks
To emit recurring clicking sounds.
As the clock ticked.
American Heritage
To make a tick or series of ticks, as a clock.
Webster's New World
To function characteristically or well; operate; work.
What makes him tick?
Webster's New World
To indicate, record, or count by a tick or ticks.
Webster's New World
To mark or check off (an item on a list, etc.) with a tick.
Webster's New World
idiom
tick off
  • to reprimand
  • to make angry or irritable
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Tick

Noun

Singular:
tick
Plural:
ticks

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Tick

Origin of Tick

  • Middle English tikke probably from Middle Dutch tīke ultimately from Latin thēca receptacle from Greek thēkē dhē- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old English ticia (“parasitic animal"), from West Germanic, compare Dutch teek, German Zecke.

    From Wiktionary

  • From Middle English tike, probably from Middle Dutch, from Latin theca (“cover")

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English tike, tik perhaps from Old English ticca

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English tek (“light touch", "tap")

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English tik light tap

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Short for ticket

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From ticket

    From Wiktionary

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