twitch

• Mouvement brusque et involontaire d'un muscle, souvent causé par la nervosité ou la fatigue ; peut aussi désigner une contraction spasmodique soudaine.

A sudden, involuntary contraction or spasm of a muscle, often caused by a nervous condition or fatigue.

1. Sudden muscle spasmB1formal

   A quick, involuntary contraction of a muscle, often caused by nervousness or a medical condition.

   Spasme musculaire soudain

   • He had a nervous twitch in his left eye.
   • The doctor said the muscle twitch was harmless.
   • She felt a sudden twitch in her leg while sitting.

   Synonymescontractionjerkspasmtictremor

2. Quick, jerky movementB1formal

   A small, rapid, and often involuntary movement of a body part.

   sursaut

   • A twitch of his hand gave away his anxiety.
   • The rabbit's nose gave a tiny twitch.
   • She noticed a twitch in the corner of his mouth.

   Synonymesconvulsionjerkjoltquiverspasmstarttictremor

• Verbe désignant un mouvement soudain, rapide et involontaire d'un muscle ou d'une partie du corps, ou un petit mouvement brusque et convulsif.

A verb used to indicate a sudden, quick, involuntary movement of a muscle or part of the body.

1. Make a sudden, jerky movementB1formal

   To make a quick, involuntary, and often repeated movement of a muscle or body part.

   tressaillir

   • His eye began to twitch from exhaustion.
   • The dog's leg twitched while it was dreaming.
   • She felt her lip twitch as she tried not to laugh.

   Synonymesconvulseflinchjerkjoltquivershudderspasmstarttremblewince

2. Move abruptly or jerkilyB2formal

   To move with sudden, sharp, and seemingly uncontrolled motions.

   tressaillir

   • The fish twitched violently on the line.
   • The puppet's limbs twitched as the strings were pulled.
   • He twitched nervously in his seat during the interview.

   Synonymesconvulseflinchjerkjoltjumpquiverspasmstartwince

3. Toss or flip sharplyC1informal

   To throw or move something with a sharp motion so that it turns over in the air.

   jeter d'un coup sec

   • She twitched the pancake in the pan to flip it.
   • He twitched the coin into the air with his thumb.
   • The chef twitched the omelette to turn it over.

   Synonymesflickflip

4. Squeeze tightlyB2informal

   To press or compress something firmly between the fingers.

   Serrer fermement

   • She twitched his arm to get his attention.
   • He twitched the fabric between his fingers to test its texture.
   • The child twitched her mother's hand nervously.

5. Pull with a sudden motionB2informal

   To move or pull something quickly and sharply.

   tirer d'un coup sec

   • He twitched the curtain aside to look outside.
   • She twitched the rope to free it from the knot.
   • The magician twitched the cloth off the table.

   Synonymesjerktugwrenchyank