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. 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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.