~ 1
■ noun
1》 Brit. a mark () used to indicate that an item in a list or text is correct or has been chosen.
2》 a regular short, sharp sound, especially that made every second by a clock or watch.
↘ Brit. informal a moment.
3》 Stock Exchange the smallest amount by which the price of a security or future may fluctuate.
■ verb
1》 chiefly Brit. mark with a ~.
2》 make regular ~ing sounds.
3》 ( ~ away/by/past ) (of time) pass inexorably.
↘( ~ along ) proceed; progress.
4》 ( ~ over ) (of an engine) run slowly in neutral.
↘ Brit. work or function at a basic or minimum level.
5》 ( ~ someone off ) Brit. informal reprimand or rebuke someone.
6》 ( ~ someone off ) N. Amer. informal make someone annoyed or angry.
Phrases
what makes someone ~ informal what motivates someone.
Origin
ME: prob. of Gmc origin.
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~ 2
■ noun
1》 a parasitic arachnid which attaches itself to the skin, from which it sucks blood. [Suborder Ixodida: many species.]
↘ informal a parasitic louse fly, especially the sheep ked.
2》 Brit. informal a worthless or contemptible person.
Origin
OE ticia , of Gmc origin.
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~ 3
■ noun (in phr. on ~ ) on credit.
Origin
C17: appar. short for ~et in the phr. on the ~et , referring to a promise to pay.
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~ 4
■ noun a fabric case stuffed with feathers or other material to form a mattress or pillow.
↘short for ~ing .
Origin
ME: prob. Mid. Low Ger., MDu. tēke , or MDu. tīke , via W. Gmc from L. theca 'case', from Gk thēkē .