Tick1  —n. 1 slight recurring click, esp. That of a watch or clock. 2 colloq. Moment. 3 mark to denote correctness, check items in a list, etc. —v. 1 (of a clock etc.) Make ticks. 2 a mark with a tick. B (often foll. By off) mark (an item) with a tick in checking.  tick off colloq. Reprimand. Tick over 1 (of an engine etc.) Idle. 2 (of a person, project, etc.) Be functioning at a basic level. What makes a person tick colloq. Person's motivation. [probably imitative]