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tick

1 tick /ˈtɪk/ noun
plural ticks
1 tick
/ˈtɪk/
noun
plural ticks
Britannica Dictionary definition of TICK
[singular] : a small, quick sound that is made by a machine (such as a clock) and that often occurs in a series to produce a rhythm
[count] chiefly British : the time that it takes a clock to make one tick : a very short period of time
[count] chiefly British : a mark ✓ that is used to show that something (such as an item on a list) has been noted, done, etc. : check
compare 3tick, 4tick
2 tick /ˈtɪk/ verb
ticks; ticked; ticking
2 tick
/ˈtɪk/
verb
ticks; ticked; ticking
Britannica Dictionary definition of TICK
[no object] : to make a small, quick, and often rhythmic tapping sound
[no object] : to continue to work or function in a normal way : run
[+ object] chiefly British : to mark (something) with a written tick (✓) : check often + off
[+ object] : to touch (something) quickly or lightly

tick away/by/past

[phrasal verb] of time
: to pass or go by

tick off

[phrasal verb]
tick (someone) off or tick off (someone)
US, informal : to make (someone) angry
British : to criticize (someone) strongly : to tell (someone) in an angry way that he or she did something wrong
tick (someone or something) off or tick off (someone or something)
US : to say the name of (someone or something) as part of a list
: to count or mark things as they pass see also 2tick 3 (above)

tick over

[phrasal verb]
chiefly British, of a vehicle's engine : to run at a very low speed
British : to run or proceed in a steady but slow way

what makes someone tick

informal
: the things that cause someone to behave a certain way : the feelings, opinions, concerns, etc., that are parts of someone's personality
3 tick /ˈtɪk/ noun
plural ticks
3 tick
/ˈtɪk/
noun
plural ticks
Britannica Dictionary definition of TICK
[count]
: a very small insect that attaches itself to the skin of larger animals or people and drinks their blood see also deer tick
compare 1tick, 4tick
4 tick /ˈtɪk/ noun
4 tick
/ˈtɪk/
noun
Britannica Dictionary definition of TICK
[noncount] British, old-fashioned
: an agreement to pay for something after a period of time : credit
compare 1tick, 3tick