poss. Pron. (attrib.) (also thine predic. Or before a vowel) archaic of or belonging to thee. [from *thine]
TIC
n. (in full nervous tic) occasional involuntary contraction of the muscles, esp. Of the face. [french from italian]
TIE
—v. (tying) 1 attach or fasten with string or cord etc.
- a form (a string, ribbon, shoelace, necktie, etc.) Into a knot or bow. B form (a knot or bow) in this way.
- (often foll. By down) restrict (a person) in some way (is tied to his job).
- (often foll. By with) achieve the same score or place as another competitor (tied with her for first place).
- hold (rafters etc.) Together by a crosspiece etc.
- mus. Unite (written notes) by a tie. —n. - cord or wire etc. Used for fastening.
- strip of material worn round the collar and tied in a knot at the front.
- thing that unites or restricts persons (family ties).
- draw, dead heat, or equality of score among competitors.
- match between any pair from a group of competing players or teams.
- (also tie-beam etc.) Rod or beam holding parts of a structure together.
- mus. Curved line above or below two notes of the same pitch indicating that they are to be played without a break between them. tie in (foll. By with) bring into or have a close association or agreement. Tie up 1 bind securely with cord etc.
- invest or reserve (capital etc.) So that it is not immediately available for use.
- (often foll. By with) = tie in.
- (usu. In passive) fully occupy (a person).
- bring to a satisfactory conclusion. [old english]
TIN
can n. Tin container, esp. An empty one.
- foil n. Foil made of tin, aluminium, or tin alloy, used for wrapping food.
- hat n. Colloq. Military steel helmet.
- plate n. Sheet iron or sheet steel coated with tin.
- whistle n. = *penny whistle.
- —n. - silvery-white metallic element, used esp. In alloys and in making tin plate.
- container made of tin or tinned iron, esp. Airtight for preserving food.
- = *tin plate. —v. (-nn-) 1 seal (food) in a tin for preservation.
- cover or coat with tin. [old english]
TIP
—n. - extremity or end, esp. Of a small or tapering thing.
- small piece or part attached to the end of a thing.
- leaf-bud of tea. —v. (-pp-) provide with a tip. on the tip of one's tongue about to be said or remembered. Tip of the iceberg small evident part of something much larger. [old norse]
- —v. (-pp-) 1 (often foll. By over, up) a lean or slant. B cause to do this.
- (foll. By into etc.) A overturn or cause to overbalance. B discharge the contents of (a container etc.) In this way. —n. - a slight push or tilt. B light stroke.
- place where material (esp. Refuse) is tipped. tip the scales see *scale2. [origin uncertain]
- —v. (-pp-) 1 make a small present of money to, esp. For a service given.
- name as the likely winner of a race or contest etc.
- strike or touch lightly. —n. - small money present, esp. For a service given.
- piece of private or special information, esp. Regarding betting or investment.
- small or casual piece of advice. tip off give (a person) a hint or piece of special information or warning. Tip a person the wink give a person private information. [origin uncertain]
TIR
abbr. International road transport. [french transport international routier]
TIS
archaic it is. [contraction]
TIT
n. Any of various small birds. [probably from scandinavian]
- n. tit for tat blow for blow; retaliation. [= earlier tip in tip for tap: see *tip2]
- n. - coarse slang woman's breast.
- colloq. Nipple. [old english]
TNT
abbr. Trinitrotoluene, a high explosive formed from toluene.
