wick1

 
Pronunciation: /wɪk/

noun

  • a strip of porous material up which liquid fuel is drawn by capillary action to the flame in a candle, lamp, or lighter.
  • Medicine a gauze strip inserted in a wound to drain it.

verb

[with object]
  • absorb or draw off (liquid) by capillary action: garments that wick moisture away from the skin (as adjective wicking) fabric with good wicking properties

Phrases

dip one's wick

vulgar slang (of a man) have sexual intercourse.

get on someone's wick

British informal annoy someone: he gets on my wick at times

Origin:

Old English wēoce, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch wiek and German Wieche 'wick yarn'