v.
- lightly touch in a way that causes itching or twitching and often laughter.
▸catch (a trout) by lightly rubbing it so that it moves backwards into the hand.
- be appealing or amusing to.
n.
an act of tickling or sensation of being tickled.
Phrase
- be tickled pink
(or to death)
informal be extremely amused or pleased. - tickle the ivories
informal play the piano.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: perh. a frequentative of tick1, or an alt. of Scots and dial. kittle ‘to tickle’ (cf. kittle).