anticking
|an-tick-ing|
/ˈæntɪk/
(antick)
odd, playful or grotesque behavior
Etymology
'antick' originates from Middle English (spelled 'antike'/'antick'), ultimately traceable to Latin 'antiquus' meaning 'old' or 'former'.
'antiquus' (Latin) > 'antique' (Old/Middle French) > Middle English 'antike'/'antick' > modern English 'antic'/'antick' (sense narrowed and shifted to 'grotesque/playful behavior').
Initially related to 'old' or 'antique' in origin, the word's sense shifted in Early Modern English toward 'fantastic, grotesque, or capering behavior' and now commonly means 'odd or playful action (antics)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
present participle of 'antick' (also spelled 'antic'): behaving in a ludicrous, capering, or grotesque way; performing antics.
The troupe was anticking through the market, drawing a laughing crowd.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/29 06:01