Category:Tickle

Tic"kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tickled; p. pr. & vb. n. Tickling.] Etym: [perhaps freq. of tick to beat; pat; but cf. also as. citelian To tickle, d. kittelen, g. kitzlen, ohg. chizzilon, chuzzilon, 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.

Tickle 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.

Tickle 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.