tiris
tirís with stress marks
to crush something tiny between thumbnails
Usage Note
Tiris describes the very specific action of crushing a small object — typically a louse (kuto) or a flea — between the thumbnails. This act of manual de-licing was historically a communal activity in Filipino households, where family members would search each other's hair for parasites. The word is closely tied to this traditional grooming practice.
Examples
" Tiris mo ang kuto. "
Natural Translation
Crush the louse between your nails.
Literal Translation
Crush you the louse.
" Isang mabilis na tiris sa langgam ang nakita ko. "
Natural Translation
I saw a quick crushing of an ant between the fingers.
Literal Translation
One fast that crush to-the ant the saw I.
" Habang hinahanap ng nanay ang kuto sa buhok ko, isang mabilis na tiris ang ginawa niya sa bawat mahuli. "
Natural Translation
While my mother searched my hair for lice, she gave a quick crush to each one she caught.
Literal Translation
While searched-for by mother the louse in hair my, one fast crush the did she to each that-caught.
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