[wick] n [ME weke, wicke, fr. OE weoce; akin to OHG wiohha wick, MIr figid he weaves] (bef. 12c): a bundle of fibers or a loosely twisted, braided, or woven cord, tape, or tube usu. of soft spun cotton threads that by capillary attraction draws up to be burned a steady supply of the oil in lamps or the melted tallow or wax in candles
[2]wick vt (1949): to carry (as moisture) by capillary action--often used with away "a fabric that ~s away perspiration"