Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

Tityre-tu

noun
Save Word
\ ¦titərē¦t(y)ü \
plural -s

Definition of Tityre-tu

: one of a gang of roistering brawling young blades in 17th century London similar to the Mohocks

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Tityre-tu

from Latin Tityre tu (patulae recubans sub tegmine fagi) Tityrus, thou reclining beneath the shelter of the spreading beech tree, opening line of the 1st Eclogue of Vergil; from their being regarded as wealthy and idle

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Tityre-tu

Statistics for Tityre-tu

Cite this Entry

“Tityre-tu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Tityre-tu. Accessed 26 Oct. 2020.

Comments on Tityre-tu

What made you want to look up Tityre-tu? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

repine

Listen to the pronunciation of repine

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Namesakes Word Quiz

  • a citrus fruit possibly named after a person
  • Which of the following is a fruit named after a Moroccan seaport?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games