tick
Cross references:
1. sheep ked
1. tick \'tik\ n [ME tyke, teke; akin to MHG zeche tick, Arm tiz] 1: any of
numerous bloodsucking arachnids that form a superfamily (Ixodoide a of the
order Acarina), are larger than the related mites, attach themselves to
warm-blooded vertebrates to feed, and include important vectors of
infectious diseases 2: any of various usu. wingless parasitic dipterous
insects
2. tick n [ME tek; akin to MHG zic light push] 1a: a light rhythmic audible
tap or beat; also : a series of such t icks chiefly Brit 1b: the time
taken by the tick of a clock : MOMENT 2: a small spot or mark; esp : one
used to direct attention to some thing, to check an item on a list, or to
represent a point on a scale
3. tick vi 1: to make the sound of a tick or a series of ticks 2: to
operate as a functioning mechanism : RUN {tried to underst and what made
him ~} 1: to mark with a written tick : CHECK 2: to mark, count, or
announce by or as if by ticking beats {a meter @ing off his cab fare}
4. tick n [ME tike, prob. fr. MD; akin to OHG ziahha tick; both fr. a
prehist]oric WGmc word borrowed fr. L theca cover, fr. Gk the-ke- case;
akin to Gk tithenai to place - more at DO 1: the fabric case of a mattress,
pillow, or bolster; also : a matt ress consisting of a tick and its filling
2: TICKING
5. tick n [short for 1ticket] : CREDIT, TRUST; also : a credit account
{brought on ~}