Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Tickle?

\Tic"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tickled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Tickling}.] [Perhaps freq. of tick to beat; pat; but cf. also AS. citelian to tickle, D. kittelen, G. kitzlen, OHG. chizzil[=o]n, chuzzil[=o]n, Icel. kitla. Cf. {Kittle}, v. t.] 1. To touch lightly, so as to produce a peculiar thrilling sensation, which commonly causes laughter, and a kind of spasm which become dengerous if too long protracted. If you tickle us, do we not laugh? --Shak. 2. To please; to gratify; to make joyous. Pleased with a rattle, tickled with a straw. --Pope. Such a nature Tickled with good success, disdains the shadow Which he treads on at noon. --Shak.
\Tic"kle\, v. i. 1. To feel titillation. He with secret joy therefore Did tickle inwardly in every vein. --Spenser. 2. To excite the sensation of titillation. --Shak.
\Tic"kle\, a. 1. Ticklish; easily tickled. [Obs.] 2. Liable to change; uncertain; inconstant. [Obs.] The world is now full tickle, sikerly. --Chaucer. So tickle is the state of earthy things. --Spenser. 3. Wavering, or liable to waver and fall at the slightest touch; unstable; easily overthrown. [Obs.] Thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders, that a milkmaid, if she be in love, may sigh it off. --Shak.