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tilt

verb (1)
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\ ˈtilt How to pronounce tilt (audio) \
tilted; tilting; tilts

Definition of tilt

 (Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to cause to have an inclination
2a : to point or thrust in or as if in a tilt tilt a lance
b : to charge against tilt an adversary

intransitive verb

1a : to move or shift so as to lean or incline : slant
b : to incline, tend, or become drawn toward an opinion, course of action, or one side of a controversy
2a : to engage in a combat with lances : joust
b : to make an impetuous attack tilt at social evils

tilt

noun (1)

Definition of tilt (Entry 2 of 4)

1a : the act of tilting : the state or position of being tilted
b : a sloping surface
c : slant, bias a tilt toward military involvement
2a : speed — see full tilt
b : dispute, contention
3 : any of various contests resembling or suggesting tilting with lances
4a : a contest on horseback in which two combatants charging with lances or similar weapons try to unhorse each other : joust
b : a tournament of tilts

tilt

noun (2)

Definition of tilt (Entry 3 of 4)

: a canopy for a wagon, boat, or stall

tilt

verb (2)
tilted; tilting; tilts

Definition of tilt (Entry 4 of 4)

transitive verb

: to cover or provide with a tilt

Other Words from tilt

Verb (1)

tiltable \ ˈtil-​tə-​bəl How to pronounce tiltable (audio) \ adjective
tilter noun

Noun (1)

tilt adjective

First Known Use of tilt

Verb (1)

1594, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1507, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for tilt

Verb (1) and Noun (1)

Middle English tulten, tilten to fall over, cause to fall, from Old English *tyltan, *tieltan, akin to Old English tealt unstable, tealtian to totter

Noun (2)

Middle English teld, telte tent, canopy, from Old English teld; akin to Old High German zelt tent

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Time Traveler for tilt

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The first known use of tilt was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Tilt.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tilted. Accessed 17 January 2020.

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More Definitions for tilt

tilt

verb
\ ˈtilt How to pronounce tilt (audio) \
tilted; tilting

Kids Definition of tilt

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to move or shift so as to slant or tip She tilted her head to one side.

tilt

noun

Kids Definition of tilt (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : slant entry 2
2 : speed entry 1 sense 2 We were traveling at full tilt.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tilt

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tilt

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with tilt

Spanish Central: Translation of tilt

Nglish: Translation of tilt for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of tilt for Arabic Speakers

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