tic

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a sudden, rapid, repeated movement or vocal sound that is difficult to control

   The child's facial tic became more noticeable when he was tired.

2. 2
   noun

   a habitual and characteristic mannerism in speech, writing, or behavior

   Repeating the same transition had become a stylistic tic in her essays.

3. 3
   verb

   to exhibit a sudden repeated movement or vocalization

   His eyelid began to tic under the strain of the long interview.

Borrowed from French tic, a word for a sudden involuntary movement or habitual grimace, probably expressive in origin. English later extended the noun figuratively to any conspicuous repeated habit or stylistic mannerism.

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