twitch

¹

[twich]

verb (used with object)

1. to tug or pull at with a quick, short movement; pluck.

   She twitched him by the sleeve.

2. to jerk rapidly.

   The rider twitched the reins a couple of times.

3. to move (a part of the body) with a sudden, jerking motion.

4. to pinch or pull at sharply and painfully; give a smarting pinch to; nip.

verb (used without object)

1. to move spasmodically or convulsively; jerk; jump.

2. to give a sharp, sudden pull; tug; pluck (usually followed byat ).

   He constantly twitched at his collar.

3. to ache or hurt with a sharp, shooting pain; twinge.

   That back tooth twitches a bit.

noun

1. a quick, jerky movement of the body or of some part of it.

2. involuntary, spasmodic movement of a muscle; tic.

   He gets a twitch in his left eye when he's nervous.

3. a short, sudden pull or tug; jerk.

4. a bodily or mental twinge, as of pain, conscience, etc.; pang.

5. a loop or noose placed over the muzzle of a horse and tightened by twisting a stick or handle to which it is attached, used as a restraining device during a painful operation.

Twitch

²

[twich]

Trademark.

1. a brand name for a livestreaming video platform, primarily delivering video game content with audio commentary and concurrent online chat among viewers.

twitch

/ twɪtʃ /

verb

1. to move or cause to move in a jerky spasmodic way

2. (tr) to pull or draw (something) with a quick jerky movement

3. (intr) to hurt with a sharp spasmodic pain

4. rare,  (tr) to nip

noun

1. a sharp jerking movement

2. a mental or physical twinge

3. a sudden muscular spasm, esp one caused by a nervous condition Compare tic

4. a loop of cord used to control a horse by drawing it tight about its upper lip

Other Word Forms

• twitching adjective
• twitcher noun
• twitchingly adverb
• untwitched adjective
• untwitching adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of twitch¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English twicchen (verb); akin to Old English twiccian “to pluck”; cognate with German zwicken “to pinch”

Word History and Origins

Origin of twitch¹

Old English twiccian to pluck; related to Old High German zwecchōn to pinch, Dutch twicken

Example Sentences

As the drugs begin to take effect, he seems to alternate between states of calm and moments of twitching and jerking.

Read more on BBC

Yet he also cuts with the quick twitch movement of a small speedster—an uncommon combination that is now turning him into a nightmare to defend.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In a twitch, a head tilt or a whine, Indy communicates his emotions: curious, lonely, contented, confused, fretful, desperate or petrified.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ms Hoes, 47, from Cwmbran, noticed her daughter was twitching at night and thought she may have symptoms.

Read more on BBC

FND Action said the brain network disorder encompassed neurological symptoms including limb weakness, paralysis, seizures, walking difficulties, spasms, twitching, sensory issues and more.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• blink 
• flutter 
• jerk 
• jiggle 
• shudder 
• tremble