formication

American  

[fawr-mi-key-shuhn] / ˌfɔr mɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a tactile hallucination involving the belief that something is crawling on the body or under the skin.

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formication British  

/ ˌfɔːmɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. a sensation of insects crawling on the skin; symptom of a nerve disorder

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Etymology

Origin of formication

1700–10; < Latin (Pliny) formīcātiōn-, stem of formīcātiō a sensation that ants are crawling on one's skin, equivalent to formicā ( re ) to have such a sensation (verbal derivative of formīca ant) + -tiōn- -tion

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

formication

The early return of sensation, even if modified in acuteness, was always a very hopeful sign; also the production of formication in the area of distribution of the nerve on manipulation of the injured spot.

From Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900 Being Mainly a Clinical Study of the Nature and Effects of Injuries Produced by Bullets of Small Calibre by Makins, George Henry

The track was now hard and palpable, but there was no hyperæsthesia in any area; when the track was manipulated slight formication in the hand was experienced.

From Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900 Being Mainly a Clinical Study of the Nature and Effects of Injuries Produced by Bullets of Small Calibre by Makins, George Henry

The same author speaks of a gentleman under treatment for stricture who could not eat figs without experiencing the most unpleasant formication of the palate and fauces.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)

A woman of fifty-two, married but having no children, and of negative family history, six years before the time of report showed the first symptoms of the affection, which began with formication in the finger-tips.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)

The thighs begin to struggle, as if formication was going on in the muscles.

From The Delight Makers by Bandelier, Adolph Francis Alphonse