I. ˈantik, ˈaan-, -ēk noun
( -s )
Etymology: Italian antico ancient thing or person, from antico, adjective
1. : an instance of grotesquely ludicrous or other unusual or unpredictable behavior : caper — usually used in plural
the wondrous antics of the financial community — C.J.Rolo
blackbirds fill the air with their antics — D.C.Peattie
2. archaic
a. : grotesque
b. : a fantastic sculptured human figure or face ; especially : one serving as an architectural support
3. archaic : one who performs a grotesque or ludicrous part (as in a play) : buffoon , merry-andrew
4. obsolete : one of the people of ancient times : antique 2a
5. obsolete : a grotesque pageant
II. adjective
also an·ti·cal -tə̇kəl, -ēk-
Etymology: Italian antico ancient, from Latin antiquus — more at antique
1. archaic : having incongruous ornament of grotesque design : bizarre
walls overlaid with antic work
2.
a. : characterized by ludicrous or clownish extravagance or absurdity
the first specific instance of Hamlet's assumed antic disposition — Harold Goddard
b. : fantastic in a light gay fashion : frolicsome
music gives a humorous lift to the antic words — Douglas Watt
Synonyms: see fantastic
III. verb
( anticked also antickt ; anticked also antickt ; antick·ing -tə̇kiŋ, -ēk- ; antics )
Etymology: antic (I)
transitive verb
obsolete : to make appear like a buffoon
intransitive verb
: to perform antics
minced, strode, and anticked in a parody of life and manners — Nora Waln