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tiller

noun (1)
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till·​er | \ ˈti-lər How to pronounce tiller (audio) \

Definition of tiller

 (Entry 1 of 4)

: one that tills : cultivator

tiller

noun (2)
til·​ler | \ ˈti-lər How to pronounce tiller (audio) \

Definition of tiller (Entry 2 of 4)

: a lever used to turn the rudder of a boat from side to side broadly : a device or system that plays a part in steering something

tiller

noun (3)
til·​ler | \ ˈti-lər How to pronounce tiller (audio) \

Definition of tiller (Entry 3 of 4)

: stalk, sprout especially : one from the base of a plant or from the axils of its lower leaves

tiller

verb
til·​ler | \ ˈti-lər How to pronounce tiller (audio) \
tillered; tillering\ ˈti-​lə-​riŋ How to pronounce tillering (audio) , ˈtil-​riŋ \

Definition of tiller (Entry 4 of 4)

intransitive verb

of a plant
: to put forth tillers

First Known Use of tiller

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1625, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1677, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for tiller

Noun (2)

Middle English teler, tiller stock of a crossbow, tiller, from Anglo-French teiler stock of a crossbow

Noun (3)

Middle English *tiller, from Old English telgor, telgra twig, shoot; akin to Old High German zelga twig, Old Irish dlongaid he splits

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Time Traveler for tiller

Time Traveler

The first known use of tiller was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Tiller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tiller. Accessed 23 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for tiller

tiller

noun
til·​ler | \ ˈti-lər How to pronounce tiller (audio) \

Kids Definition of tiller

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a lever used to turn the rudder of a boat from side to side

tiller

noun

Kids Definition of tiller (Entry 2 of 2)

: someone or something that tills land

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More from Merriam-Webster on tiller

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tiller

Nglish: Translation of tiller for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tiller

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