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Synonyms & Similar Words
Meaning of Tick
The primary meaning of the word "tick" is a small insect that lives on the blood of animals and humans, or a mark or check made against an item on a list.
Definitions
- A small insect that lives on the blood of animals and humans, typically having a rounded body and attached to the host by its mouthparts.
- A mark or check made against an item on a list, indicating that it has been noted, completed, or satisfied.
- A small mark or spot, especially one that is rounded or oval in shape.
- The sound of a clock or watch marking the passage of time.
Etymology of Tick
The word "tick" has its origins in Old English "tice" or "ticce", which referred to a small insect, particularly a blood-sucking parasite.
The sense of "tick" as a mark or check developed in the 15th century, possibly from the idea of making a small mark against an item on a list.
The word "tick" has been used in English since the 9th century, with its meanings and uses evolving over time.
Example Uses
- The hiker removed a tick from her arm after walking through the woods.
- She put a tick against each item on the list as she completed it.
- The clock's tick was loud and steady, marking the passage of time.