click1

[klik] /klɪk/
noun
1.
a slight, sharp sound:
At the click of the latch, the dog barked.
2.
a small device for preventing backward movement of a mechanism, as a detent or pawl.
3.
Phonetics. any one of a variety of ingressive, usually implosive, speech sounds, phonemic in some languages, produced by suction occlusion and plosive or affricative release.
4.
any one of a variety of familiar sounds used in calling or urging on horses or other animals, in expressing reprimand or sympathy, or produced in audible kissing.
5.
Computers. the act of rapidly depressing and releasing a button on a mouse or other input device, usually the left-hand button, as to select an icon.
verb (used without object)
6.
to emit or make a slight, sharp sound, or series of such sounds, as by the cocking of a pistol:
The door clicked shut.
7.
Informal.
  1. to succeed; make a hit:
    If the play clicks, the producer will be rich.
  2. to fit together; function well together:
    They get along in public, but their personalities don't really click.
  3. to become intelligible.
8.
Computers. to rapidly depress and release one of the buttons on a mouse or other input device, usually the left-hand button:
Just click on the link to get to the site.
Compare right-click.
verb (used with object)
9.
to cause to click.
10.
to strike together with a click:
He clicked his heels and saluted.
11.
Computers.
  1. to select (a screen object) by rapidly depressing and releasing one of the buttons on a mouse or other input device, usually the left-hand button:
    Click “OK” to continue .
    Compare right-click.
  2. to rapidly depress and release (a button on a mouse or other input device):
    Click the trackpad button once.
Origin
1575-85; perhaps imitative, but perhaps < Dutch klick (noun), klikken (v.)
Related forms
clickless, adjective

click2

[klik] /klɪk/
noun, Slang.
1.
a kilometer.
Also, klick, klik.
Origin
1970-75 or earlier; probably special use of click1, but sense development unclear
Examples from the web for click
  • click and drag your mouse over the image to move your view in any direction.
  • To see inland areas, click on the thumbnail image under the main map.
  • To see inland areas, click on the smaller pictures under the main map.
  • click the image source to see the whole thing in its glory.
  • click ahead for a closer look at the eco-friendly options.
  • click photos below to see the building plans for this doghouse.
  • Reuters gets no traffic when you click on that link: indeed, we're sending you away.
  • Scroll down or click here for the latest live updates.
  • To download the screensaver, click the link below the image of the screensaver.
  • For an overview about roses and their care, click here.
British Dictionary definitions for click

click

/klɪk/
noun
1.
a short light often metallic sound
2.
  1. the locking member of a ratchet mechanism, such as a pawl or detent
  2. the movement of such a mechanism between successive locking positions
3.
(phonetics) any of various stop consonants, found in Khoisan and as borrowings in southern Bantu languages, that are produced by the suction of air into the mouth
4.
(US & Canadian, slang) a kilometre
5.
(computing) an act of pressing and releasing a button on a mouse
verb
6.
to make or cause to make a clicking sound: to click one's heels
7.
(usually foll by on) (computing) to press and release (a button on a mouse) or to select (a particular function) by pressing and releasing a button on a mouse
8.
(intransitive) (slang) to be a great success: that idea really clicked
9.
(intransitive) (informal) to become suddenly clear: it finally clicked when her name was mentioned
10.
(intransitive) (slang) to go or fit together with ease: they clicked from their first meeting
Derived Forms
clicker, noun
Word Origin
C17: of imitative origin
Word Origin and History for click
v.

1580s, of imitative origin (cf. Dutch and East Frisian klikken "to click; Old French clique "tick of a clock"). The figurative sense, in reference usually to persons, "hit it off at once, become friendly upon meeting" is from 1915, perhaps based on the sound of a key in a lock. Related: Clicked; clicking.

n.

1610s, from click (v.). Click-beetle attested from 1830.

click in Medicine

click (klĭk)
n.
A slight sharp sound, such as that heard from the heart during systole.

Slang definitions & phrases for click

click

noun
  1. An insight, esp a sudden one; flash of comprehension: She gifts us with this click: Most men want their wives to have a jobette/ and finally to a click when it began adding up
  2. A clique (1920s+)
  3. (also klick, klik) A kilometer: a hundred and sixty clicks north of Saigon (1960s+ Armed forces)
verb
  1. (or click with) To succeed; please an audience or constituency: If I can click with wholesalers I should be ready to open up in about 3 weeks (1910+ Theater)
  2. To evoke or precede a flash of insight: Something clicked. I thought, This is what I want to do for the rest of my life (1930s+)
  3. To fit together precisely; go well together: Those two really click, like a well-oiled machine (1920s+)

click in Technology

hardware
To press and release a button on a mouse or other pointing device. This generates an event, also specifying the screen position, which is processed by the window manager or application program.
On a mouse with more than one button, the unqualified term usually implies pressing the left-most button (with the right index finger), other buttons would be qualified, e.g. "right-click". Multiple clicks in quick succession, e.g. a double-click, often have a different meaning from slow single clicks. Keyboard modifiers may also be used, e.g. "shift-click", meaning to hold down the shift key on the keyboard while clicking the mouse button.
If the mouse moves while the button is pressed then this is a drag.
(1995-03-14)