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

1plural 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 gypsum2: tiling3: hat ; especially : a high silk hat4: a thin piece of resilient material (as cork, linoleum, or rubber) used especially for covering floors or walls5: 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