tilt
tilt Lexical Profile
tilt Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A sloping position or movement; the degree to which something inclines from the vertical or horizontal.
"The slight tilt of the Earth's axis is responsible for the changing of the seasons."
A medieval combat or exercise in which two mounted knights charge at each other with lances, or a competitive contest or attempt at winning something.
"The defending champions are preparing for another tilt at the national title this weekend."
A state of emotional frustration or mental confusion in which a player adopts a suboptimal strategy, originally in poker and video gaming.
"After losing three consecutive hands, the player went on tilt and began making reckless bets."
• verb
To move or cause to move into a sloping position so that one end or side is higher than the other.
"She tilted the mirror slightly upward to catch the natural light from the window."
To incline or bias toward a particular opinion, group, or outcome.
"The new tax regulations clearly tilt in favor of small businesses."
To engage in a joust or contest with a lance, or to attack something in speech or writing (usually followed by 'at').
"Critics accused the politician of tilting at imaginary enemies rather than addressing real economic problems."
• Rhymes for tilt
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Middle English tilten ('to totter or fall'), from Old English tealt ('unsteady, precarious'), related to Old Norse tölta ('to amble').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.