twitch

¹twitch

verb \ˈtwich\

Definition of TWITCH

transitive verb

: to move or pull with a sudden motion : jerk

intransitive verb

1

: pull, pluck <twitched at my sleeve>

2

: to move jerkily : quiver

3

: to undergo a brief spasmodic muscular contraction <his hand twitched>

— twitch·er noun

Examples of TWITCH

1. Her mouth was twitching as she began to cry.
2. The rabbit twitched its ears.

Origin of TWITCH

Middle English twicchen; akin to Old English twiccian to pluck, Old High German gizwickan to pinch

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TWITCH

Synonyms

fiddle, jerk, jig, jiggle, squiggle, squirm, thrash, thresh, toss, twist, fidget, wiggle, wriggle, writhe

Related Words

flit, flutter, twitter; quake, quiver, shake, shiver, shudder, tremble; pace

Near Antonyms

relax, rest, unwind; calm (down), still

Rhymes with TWITCH

bitch, ditch, fitch, flitch, glitch, hitch, itch, kitsch, niche, pitch, quitch, rich, snitch, stitch, such, switch, which, witch

²twitch

noun

Definition of TWITCH

1

: an act of twitching; especially : a short sudden pull or jerk

2

: a physical or mental pang <a twitch of remorse>

3

: a loop of rope or strap that is tightened over a horse's lip as a restraining device

4

a : a brief spasmodic contraction of the muscle fibers

b : a slight jerk of a body part

— twitch·i·ly \ˈtwi-chə-lē\ adverb

— twitchy \ˈtwi-chē\ adjective

First Known Use of TWITCH

1523

³twitch

noun

Definition of TWITCH

: quack grass

Origin of TWITCH

alteration of quitch

First Known Use: 1595