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

Synonyms:

idiom

tick off

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Tick

Singular:

tick

Plural:

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