n.
Pronunciation: ' t ī (- ə )l
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English tigele, from Latin tegula tile; akin to Latin tegere to cover ― more at THATCH
Date: before 12th century
1 plural tiles or tile a : a flat or curved piece of fired clay, stone, or concrete used especially for roofs, floors, or walls and often for ornamental work b : a hollow or a semicircular and open earthenware or concrete piece used in constructing a drain c : a hollow building unit made of fired clay or of shale or gypsum
2 : TILING
3 : HAT especially : a high silk hat
4 : a thin piece of resilient material (as cork, linoleum, or rubber) used especially for covering floors or walls
5 : a thin piece resembling a ceramic tile that usually bears a mark or letter and is used as a playing piece in a board game (as mah-jongg)
– on the tiles
British : engaged in late-night carousing