See also: tico and -tico

English

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Etymology

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From Spanish tico which arose from the frequent use of the diminutive suffix -tico in Costa Rica.

Adjective

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Tico (not comparable)

  1. (slang) Costa Rican
    • October 1946, National Geographic
      The musical intonation and liberal use of diminutives make Tico Spanish particularly effective for expressing sentiment and affection.

Noun

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Tico (plural Ticos)

  1. (slang) Costa Rican
    • 1980, Leonard St. Clair, Obsessions:
      Most of the people here are from the embassies. The Ticos—that's what the natives call themselves—come in the evening.

References

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  • "Tico, n. and adj.". OED Online. March 2013. Oxford University Press.

Anagrams

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