n.
Pronunciation: ' ti-k ə l
Function: verb
Inflected Form: tick · led ; tick · ling \ -k( ə -)li ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English tikelen; akin to Old English tinclian to tickle
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : to excite or stir up agreeably : PLEASE <music ⋯ does more than tickle our sense of rhythm ― Edward Sapir> b : to provoke to laughter or merriment : AMUSE <were tickled by the clown's antics>
2 : to touch (as a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements
3 : to touch or stir gently <a pianist tickling the ivories>
intransitive verb
1 : to have a tingling or prickling sensation <my back tickle s >
2 : to excite the surface nerves to prickle