click

n 1: a short light metallic sound [syn: {chink}, {clink}]

2: a stop consonant made by the suction of air into the mouth

(as in Bantu) [syn: {suction stop}]

3: a hinged device that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move

a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward [syn: {pawl},

{detent}, {dog}]

4: depression of a button on a computer mouse: "a click on the

right button for example" [syn: {mouse click}]

v 1: move or strike with a click; "then the brightness as he

clicked on the light." [syn: {snap}]

2: make a clicking or ticking sound; "The clock ticked away"

[syn: {tick}]

3: click repeatedly or uncontrollably, as of teeth [syn: {chatter}]

4: cause to make a snapping sound; of fingers [syn: {snap}, {flick}]

5: produce a click; "Xhosa speakers click"

6: make a clucking sounds, characteristic of hens [syn: {cluck},

{clack}]

7: become clear suddenly; "It dawned on him that she had

betrayed him" [syn: {get through}, {dawn}, {come home}, {get

across}, {sink in}, {penetrate}, {fall into place}]

click

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}".

{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)