Now only dial. Also 7 tech. [Origin uncertain: see TETCHY.] A fit of petulance or anger; a tantrum.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 98. I mean not that such a tech as Naaman took here, may do it. Ibid., 143. An offer … which thou biddest faire for and forsookest at last in a tech. Ibid., 379. Meer tetches and pritches, very toyes and conceits, can alienate their love.
a. 1734. North, Lives, Ld. Guilford (1826), II. 218. But this frantic fellow took tetch at somewhat, and ran away into Ireland.
1876. J. Richardson, Cummerland Talk, Ser. II. 73. Nater began to tak t’ tetch wid him, an’ wadden’t be meàd ghem on enny langer.
¶ 1623. Cockeram, Tetch, thriftinesse. (App. a mistake.)
