tits
English meaning: Tits
Definition
A mammary gland, teat.
Example
“A pair of blue tits nested in the box at the bottom of the garden.”
Another example: “Birdwatchers spotted several great tits feeding on the hanging seeds.”
Usage — When, Where & How
As a plural noun, 'tits' most neutrally names small songbirds (great tit, blue tit), common in British birdwatching. Note it is also vulgar slang for breasts, so learners must use it with caution. The bird sense is the safe, standard one.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From a Germanic root meaning 'small'; the bird name dates to the 18th century, shortened from 'titmouse'.
Synonyms
- titmice
Related Words
- passerine
- titmice
- verdin
- mobbing
- tit
- woven
- solvable
- stocky
- tails
- ree
Common Collocations
- blue tit
- great tit
- coal tit
- long-tailed tit
- flock of tits
Word Forms
tit (n); tits
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B