This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, January 22, 2026 (17 Across). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Thursday puzzles often have a trick, such as a rebus (several letters in one square) or answers that bend the rules.
Answer length: 4 squares
First letter
T _ _ _
First and last letters
T _ _ K
Show the answer
About the answer
TICK as a word: A tiny woodland arachnid of the suborder Ixodida; A relatively quiet but sharp sound generally made repeatedly by moving machinery.
TICK has been an answer once in the NYT Crossword and Mini puzzles we have on file, which go back to October 23, 2025.
More clues from this puzzle
- Escapade (9 Across)
- Goddess depicted with cow's horns (14 Across)
- "Hey, look who's here!" (15 Across)
- Film without much wardrobe, informally (16 Across)
- Happens (18 Across)
- Left in (20 Across)
- Ingredient in a zombie (22 Across)
- Late ___ (23 Across)
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