tuck

tuck

tuck¹ [tuk]

vt.

[ME tuken < MDu tucken, to tuck & OE tucian, to ill-treat, lit., to tug, akin to Ger zucken, to jerk: for IE base see TUG]

1. to pull up or gather up in a fold or folds; draw together so as to make shorter [to tuck up one's skirt for wading]

2. to sew a fold or folds in (a garment)

3.

a) to thrust the edges of (a sheet, napkin, shirt, etc.) under or in, in order to make secure: usually with up, in, etc.

b) to cover or wrap snugly in or as in this way [to tuck a baby in bed]

4. to put or press snugly into a small space; cram; fit [to tuck shoes in a suitcase]

5.

a) to put into an empty or convenient place

b) to put into a secluded or isolated spot [a cabin tucked in the hills]

6. to put (one's legs) in the position of a TUCK¹ (n. 3)

vi.

1. to draw together; pucker

2. to make tucks

n.

1. a sewed fold in a garment, for shortening or decoration

2. the part of a ship under the stern where the ends of the bottom planks meet

3. a position of the body, esp. in diving, in which the knees are drawn up tightly to the chest

4. [Brit. Slang] food; esp., sweets: used mainly by schoolchildren

5. Informal plastic surgery, esp. for cosmetic reasons, in which excess skin or fat is removed from the lower abdomen, from around the eyes, etc.

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tuck away

1. to eat (something) heartily

2. to put aside or apart, as for future use

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tuck in

1. to pull in or contract (one's chin, stomach, etc.)

2. Chiefly Brit. to eat (something) heartily

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tuck into

Chiefly Brit. to eat heartily

tuck² [tuk]

n.

[Fr estoc < OFr estoquier < MDu stocken, to stick, pierce, poke < stok: see STOCK]

Archaic a rapier

tuck³ [tuk, to͞ok]

vt.

[ME tukken < NormFr toker, toquer, var. of OFr toucher, to TOUCH]

Scot. to beat or tap (a drum)

n.

a beat or tap, as on a drum

☆ tuck⁴ [tuk ]

n.

short for TUXEDO