tile

tile [tīl]

n.

[ME < OE tigele, akin to Ger ziegel, both < WGmc * tegala < L tegula, tile < tegere, to cover: see THATCH]

1.

a) a thin, usually rectangular piece of stone, concrete, or unglazed, fired clay, used for roofing, flooring, etc.

b) a thin, usually rectangular piece of glazed, fired clay, often decorated, used for fireplace borders, bathroom walls, etc.

c) a similar piece of other material, as of metal, plastic, asphalt, rubber, etc., used to cover floors, walls, etc.

2. tiles collectively; tiling

3. a drain of semicircular tiles or earthenware pipe

4. hollow blocks of burnt clay, used variously in construction

5. any of the pieces used in mah-jongg or some other games

6. Informal a high, stiff hat

vt.

tiled, tiling

to cover with tiles

——————

on the tiles

[Brit. Informal] out carousing

tiler

n.