Main Entry: ¹tile

Pronunciation: \ˈtī(-ə)l\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English tigele, from Latin tegula tile; akin to Latin tegere to cover — more at thatch

Date: before 12th century

1 plural tiles or tile a : a flat or curved piece of fired clay, stone, or concrete used especially for roofs, floors, or walls and often for ornamental work b : a hollow or a semicircular and open earthenware or concrete piece used in constructing a drain c : a hollow building unit made of fired clay or of shale or gypsum
2 : tiling
3 : hat; especially : a high silk hat
4 : a thin piece of resilient material (as cork, linoleum, or rubber) used especially for covering floors or walls
5 : a thin piece resembling a ceramic tile that usually bears a mark or letter and is used as a playing piece in a board game (as mah-jongg)

— on the tiles British : engaged in late-night carousing