tyke
See also: Tyke
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Middle English tike, tyke, from Old Norse tík (“bitch”). Compare modern Icelandic tík (“bitch, female dog”), Faroese tík (“bitch, female dog”), Swedish tik (“bitch, female dog”). For sense 5, early 20th century: alteration of Taig.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /taɪk/
Audio (AU) (file) - Rhymes: -aɪk
Noun
tyke (plural tykes)
- (dialectal) A mongrel dog.
- (colloquial) A small child, especially a cheeky or mischievous one
- (Canada) An initiation level of sports competition for young children (Can we add an example for this sense?)
- (dated, chiefly Britain) A crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement
- (Britain, informal) A person from Yorkshire; a Yorkshireman or Yorkshirewoman
- (Australia, New Zealand, informal, derogatory) A Roman Catholic
Synonyms
- (mongrel dog): mongrel, mutt
- (slang: small child): ankle-biter, nipper, tot
Related terms
Translations
References
“tyke”, in OED Online
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