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v. tilt·ed, tilt·ing, tilts v.tr. 1. To cause to slope, as by raising one end; incline: tilt a soup bowl; tilt a chair backward. See Synonyms at slant. 2. To cause to be advantageous to one party rather than another: a development that tilted the balance of trade in their favor. 3. a. To aim or thrust (a lance) in a joust. b. To charge (an opponent); attack. 4. To forge with a tilt hammer. v.intr. 1. To slope; incline: The field tilts toward the river. 2. To have a preference, favor, or be inclined toward something: She recently tilted toward vegetarianism. 3. To be advantageous to one side over another, as in a dispute: "The battle ... was beginning to tilt again in the Confederates' favor" (Stephen W. Sears). 4. a. To fight with lances; joust. b. To engage in a combat or struggle; fight: tilting at injustices. n. Idioms: 1. The act of tilting or the condition of being tilted. 2. a. An inclination from the horizontal or vertical; a slant: adjusting the tilt of a writing table. b. A sloping surface, as of the ground. 3. a. A tendency to favor one side in a dispute: the court's tilt toward conservative rulings. b. A preference, inclination, or bias: "pitilessly illuminates the inaccuracies and tilts of the press" (Nat Hentoff). 4. a. A medieval sport in which two mounted knights with lances charged together and attempted to unhorse one another. b. A thrust or blow with a lance. 5. A combat, especially a verbal one; a debate. 6. A tilt hammer. at full tilt At full speed: a tank moving at full tilt. on tilt In a reckless manner, especially playing poker recklessly after experiencing bad or good luck. [Middle English tilten, to cause to fall, perhaps of Scandinavian origin.] tilter n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. A canopy or an awning for a boat, wagon, or cart. tr.v. tilt·ed, tilt·ing, tilts To cover (a vehicle) with a canopy or an awning. [Middle English telte, tent, from Old English teld.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
