/
tʌɪl/
n.
- a thin square or rectangular slab of baked clay, concrete, etc., used in overlapping rows for covering roofs.
▸a similar slab of glazed pottery or other material for covering floors or walls.
- a thin, flat piece used in Scrabble, mah-jong, and other games.
v.
- cover with tiles.
- arrange (windows) on a computer screen so that they do not overlap.
Phrase
- on the tiles
informal, chiefly Brit. having a lively night out.
Etymology
OE tigele, from L. tegula, from an Indo-Eur. root meaning ‘cover’.