tyke

¹

or tike

[ tahyk ]

noun

1. a child, especially a small boy.
2. any small child.
3. a cur; mongrel.
4. Chiefly Scot. a low, contemptible fellow; boor.

tyke

²

or tike

[ tahyk ]

noun

1. Australia and New Zealand Informal. a Roman Catholic.

tyke

/ taɪk /

noun

1. a dog, esp a mongrel
2. informal.
   a small or cheeky child: used esp in affectionate reproof
3. dialect.
   a rough ill-mannered person
4. slang.
   Also calledYorkshire tyke a person from Yorkshire
5. slang.
   a Roman Catholic

Word History and Origins

Origin of tyke¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Old Norse tīk bitch

Origin of tyke²

1940–45; compare Ulster English Taig contemptuous term for a Roman Catholic Irishman, archaic English teague derogatory name for an Irishman < Irish Tadhg a common personal name

Word History and Origins

Origin of tyke¹

C14: from Old Norse tīk bitch

Example Sentences

"Drop their little tykes off next door. We have doctors on board and nurses who are going to feed them, but mum and dad will be working in our office."

From BBC

The wisdom David’s character imparts to the tyke?

From Los Angeles Times

Caesar salad is a nostalgia-inducing dish: I remember being a very little tyke and having my first Caesar and being astonished at the flavor.

From Salon

Alas, as soon as the tykes behave, the tension evaporates.

From New York Times

She made it look easy, because the work that has made her an internet celebrity for the tykes is more than a performance to her.

From New York Times

Related Words

• brat
• imp
• lad
• little terror