I. ˈtwich verb
Etymology: Middle English twicchen; akin to Old English twiccian to pluck, Old High German gi zwickan to pinch
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
: to move or pull with a sudden motion : jerk
intransitive verb
1. : pull , pluck
twitch ed at my sleeve
2. : to move jerkily : quiver
3. : to undergo a brief spasmodic muscular contraction
his hand twitch ed
• twitch·er noun
II. noun
Date: 1523
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
III. noun
Etymology: alteration of quitch
Date: 1595
: quack grass