noun
tick
TIK/tˈɪk/
A small arachnid that attaches to people or animals and feeds on their blood.
A tick clings to the dog's skin beneath its fur.
Etymology
Old English ticia already named the parasite. Its deeper origin is unknown, so the known history preserves the animal’s name without revealing an original descriptive meaning.
In context
you look closer and see a tiny round eight-legged creature clinging to your skin y a tick ticks are small arachnids meaning they're related to spiders
More examples
- Check your legs for ticks after walking through tall grass.
- She removes a tick with fine-tipped tweezers.
- Some ticks carry germs that can make people sick.
Forms
tick · ticks
Similar words
- parasite
- A broader term for organisms living at a host's expense.
- bloodsucker
- Any animal that feeds on blood, not just a tick.